Sporting Clube de Portugal v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5
Mikel Arteta’s side have made impressive strides in their last two matches (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal fans hoping Mikel Arteta will add to his squad in the January transfer window are likely to be frustrated.
The Gunners have endured a frustrating start to the season with their progress undermined by an injury crisis that has deprived them of key personnel for extended periods.
Disciplinary issues also contributed to the loss of points against the likes of Brighton, Manchester City and Bournemouth which has left Arteta’s men a distant nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners have got their campaign back in track following the resumption after the international break, with the return of skipper Martin Odegaard coinciding with emphatic wins over Nottingham Forest and Sporting Lisbon.
Eight goals in two matches has made something of a mockery of the suggestion that Arsenal are in desperate need of a new striker.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, his international teammate Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko who opted to remain at the Bundesliga club last summer and sign a new deal, rather than jump at the chance to join a Premier League giant.
According to ESPN, however, Arsenal are intending to keep their powder dry in January and continue to place faith in the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard.
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Viktor Gyokoeres is one of Europe’s hottest strikers on current form
A quiet winter window is anticipated, unless injuries become and issue again between now and the end of the year.
As it stands, only Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are out for the long-term and the Gunners appear to be adequately stocked in the full-back positions.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Myles Lewis-Skelly offer options at let-back, while Jakub Kiwior and Kieran Tierney are also still on the books.
‘We have Kieran Tierney after a long injury, it’s great news that he’s back,’ Arteta told a pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s game in Lisbon.
‘He’s been training with the team and he’s at the level to participate.’
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