Arteta accepts Arsenal need ‘firepower’ in transfer market

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Thursday the Gunners must be in the market to sign the best players to bolster a squad he accepts lacks “firepower”.

Arteta’s men will end the season without a trophy for the fifth consecutive year as injuries to Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Jesus, and the lack of a prolific striker, blunted their challenge for silverware.

Arsenal, currently second in the Premier League behind already-crowned champions Liverpool and beaten in the Champions League semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain, will round off another frustrating season, away to relegated Southampton on Sunday.

Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is the latest star forward to be linked with a move to the Emirates after links to Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon.

“If you want to win major trophies, you have to be the best in the market, no? The teams that win always have the best players,” said Arteta.

“I wouldn’t like to name a player, but there is pride because we have brought the club into a position that next season people are saying: ‘You have to win a major trophy.’ And that means that everybody believes, and that we are an elite team in this country and Europe. The biggest statement is that Arsenal is there.”

The Spaniard added: “What is clear with the number of injuries that we had in the front line is that we need a goal threat and we need firepower. Understanding that the context can change tomorrow, we cannot rely just on the numbers that we had before.

“We have to add goals, creativity, and we have to add numbers, and that will be in different positions.”

Arteta also said he wanted 31-year-old midfielder Thomas Partey to sign a new Arsenal contract following an impressive campaign.

Partey’s current deal expires next month, with former club Atletico Madrid reported to be interested in re-signing the Ghanaian.

“In regards to Thomas, consistency-wise, it’s been his best season. The way he’s played, performed, and his availability have been exceptional. He is an important player for us.”

Arteta, meanwhile, congratulated arch north London rivals Tottenham on ending their 17-year trophy drought after they beat fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United 1-0 in Wednesday’s Europa League final in Bilbao.

“They are champions, and when you get to that, you have to do a lot of things right,” said Arteta. “I think they have gone through a season with a lot of obstacles and difficulties, and they have helped them at the end to manage a beautiful moment.”