Mikel Arteta has only one January transfer wish after admitting Arsenal deserved to lose against Fulham
EXCLUSIVE
Published: 19:35, 31 Dec 2023Updated: 19:35, 31 Dec 2023Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped on Arsenal’s potential business in the January transfer window following their defeat to Fulham.
The Gunners lost 2-1 in their final match of 2023 at the Cottage to see them win just once in their last six matches in all competitions.
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Arsenal’s final game of 2023 ended in a poor defeatCredit: Getty
Arsenal took the lead through Bukayo Saka but goals from Raul Jimenez and Bobby Decordova-Reid sent them home without a point.
Arteta’s side sat top of the Premier League at Christmas but have now fallen to fourth in the table amid their poor run of form.
The January transfer window, which is just hours away from opening, spells them the chance to strengthen for their title charge.
However, Arteta was not one to disclose the club’s plans in the market as they head into 2024 off the back of two consecutive defeats.
Speaking to talkSPORT after the match, he said: “What I want is the players that have taken us all this way in the half of the season, we continue to work with them. That’s it.”
Arsenal made three signings last January, with Leandro Trossard, Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior all joining the club.
The Gunners went on to finish second in the Premier League behind Manchester City but will be wanting to go all the way this time round.
Arteta also suggested that Arsenal didn’t deserve to win the game in what was one of their worst performances of the season: “It’s not panic.
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Arteta says they didn’t deserve to win and was quiet on their transfer plansCredit: Getty
“It’s about today we haven’t done enough to earn the right to win the game. We weren’t at our level and we have to be very clear and open with that.”
Even though they took the lead against Fulham, he added: “That’s not enough in this league.
“You have to be at a different level than what we have done today for 100 minutes. We haven’t achieved that, we didn’t decide to win the game today.”
Arsenal don’t return to Premier League action until January 20 when they host Crystal Palace, with a big push needed in the second half of the season.
