Mikel Arteta Warns Signing Not Enough for Arsenal’s Title Challenge

Key Points:

• Arteta believes Arsenal have the firepower to win the Premier League, but warns that a signing alone won’t be the solution.
• Arsenal are six points behind league leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand.
• Despite transfer rumors, Arteta insists consistency and improvement are key for title hopes.

Mikel Arteta: Signings Alone Won’t Guarantee Arsenal the Title

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has firmly stated that while Arsenal certainly have the capability to win the Premier League, simply making a signing will not guarantee success in the title race. With the Gunners trailing Liverpool by six points in the league, Arsenal fans are calling for a major addition in the January transfer window to boost their hopes of securing their first league title since 2004.

Despite their strong form, Arsenal’s quest for a striker has been ongoing. The club has shown long-term interest in players like RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres, but a deal for any of these players seems difficult this January.

However, Arteta remains unfazed by the pressure for a new signing and emphasized that a new arrival must perform to make a tangible impact on the team. “Signing somebody is not enough, that’s for sure,” Arteta explained. “That signing has to score, then how many goals? A lot of things have to happen. Maybe [signing a striker] gives us a better chance, but I am very happy with the players we have.”

Arsenal have already scored 114 goals in 2024, averaging 2.28 goals per game, their best offensive record since 1963. Arteta believes their attacking output is more than enough to challenge for the Premier League title, and that further consistency and improvement is the key.

Focus on Consistency, Not Just Signings

“The reality is if somebody is doing more, we have to be better. Last year we were the best team in the league, broke various records, and still haven’t won a major trophy, so something is missing,” Arteta added. “It can be very small details, certain games or situations. We just need to flip that coin to the other side.”

As Arsenal continue to compete for the title, Arteta urged his players to stay focused on the present, rather than get distracted by potential contract talks. Midfielders Jorginho and Thomas Partey, whose contracts expire at the end of the season, are now free to negotiate with foreign clubs, but Arteta is not yet concerned about their futures.

“I don’t want to start these conversations now. The focus has to be on what we need to do this season,” Arteta explained. “We can have these discussions later when we know what their intentions are.”

Injury Updates: Kai Havertz and Ben White

Arteta also confirmed that Kai Havertz is available for selection in Arsenal’s upcoming trip to Brighton after missing the 3-1 victory over Brentford due to illness. Meanwhile, defender Ben White, recovering from knee surgery, could return to the squad before the end of the month, though Arteta emphasized that White has yet to rejoin the team for full training.

“His knee looks good, he’s reacted really well, and everything is going smoothly,” Arteta said. “Now he needs to start loading the knee and get through some more things, but hopefully, he’ll be good to go soon.”

As Arsenal aim to close the gap at the top, Arteta’s message is clear: consistency, improvement, and a focus on the present will be the driving forces behind their Premier League title push, not just the pursuit of new signings.