A private conversation with Mikel Arteta and an honest assessment of Viktor Gyokeres' Arsenal displays have emerged
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a press conference at Estadio do Dragao, Portugal.
Mikel Arteta will consider his options in the January transfer window
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The January transfer window is nearly open, bringing Arsenal the opportunity to bolster their title ambitions. The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League table but Mikel Arteta will be well aware that their lead is a slender one.
That could encourage the Arsenal hierarchy to assess their options in the transfer market, especially given their relentless injury woes this season. The Gunners have been accused of not using the mid-season window effectively in previous campaigns, having failed to add depth in recent years and ultimately paid the price come the end of the season.
Arsenal legend's Gyokeres verdict
Arsenal hero Robert Pires has given his thoughts on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres in the summer. The Swede arrived with plenty of expectation after the Gunners forked out a fee of £64million, but he has come under scrutiny for not scoring as many goals as he would have liked so far this season.
Club legend Pires has now described the forward as a key summer signing but insists Arsenal’s main striker needs to score more goals in order to help them win the league. The Frenchman told Flashscore: "Arteta has changed something, especially in terms of squad depth. The quality on the bench is very important.
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match against Everton
Robert Pires supports the signing of Viktor Gyokeres(Image: Photo by Ben Roberts - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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"Arsenal spent a lot of money on Viktor Gyokeres and that was a key move. When you want to win the Premier League, you need a striker who can score goals consistently but also helps the team in difficult moments."
When asked whether Gyokeres is the missing piece for Arsenal in the title race, Pires backed the striker, adding: "Yes, because goals are crucial. But it’s not only about scoring. He gives the team something different.
"For me, the big difference with this Arsenal squad is not only the starting 11, but the quality on the bench. When players come on, they can immediately help the team. That is very important over a long season."
Arteta's private talks
Noni Madueke has revealed how his first phone call with Mikel Arteta convinced him to join Arsenal. Madueke signed from rivals Chelsea in the summer in an initially controversial £48.5m deal, given the rivalry between the two London clubs.
But the winger has since won over the Gunners faithful with his electric performances, most notably during Bukayo Saka’s absence and with his brace against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Arsenal new signing Noni Madueke with (L) manager Mikel Arteta and (R) Sporting director Andrea Berta at Sobha Realty Training Centre
Noni Madueke had no doubts about joining Arsenal after speaking to Mikel Arteta
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Speaking about his private conversation with Arteta before his move to north London, Madueke told the Arsenal website: "I think the first time I got on the phone with Mikel was a great conversation.
"It was me and my dad and him. He just highlighted the plans he had for the team and the plans he had for me.
"A lot of the things that he said really resonated with me and then, of course, I knew how good the team was and that they were in a position to really challenge for major honours. So that’s what made the choice for me."
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