Arteta Eyes Title Push as Arsenal Prepare for Aston Villa Clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his team must improve despite being statistically the best in the league, as they prepare to face Aston Villa in a crucial title race match.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has addressed the club's search for a new striker in his latest press conference. With Gabriel Jesus sidelined due to a torn ACL, Arteta acknowledged the need to find a solution. “At the moment we don't have them, we are trying to find the solution,” he said. “We will have to see what we can do. We are actively always evolving the squad.”

Arteta's comments suggest that the club is actively seeking to improve their squad, particularly in the striker position. The manager's emphasis on evolving the squad implies that Arsenal is open to making signings to strengthen their team. As the January transfer window progresses, Arsenal fans will be eagerly awaiting news of potential signings.

"We have lost two massive players. we are trying actively and we need some support" 💬

Mikel Arteta on strengthening's Arsenal forward line after the injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus 🔴 pic.twitter.com/ashZCRlqff

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 17, 2025

In addition to discussing the club's transfer plans, Arteta also provided an update on the fitness of defender Riccardo Calafiori. Calafiori could potentially return for Saturday's game against Aston Villa, but Arteta emphasized that the decision would be made by the medical staff. “There a few decisions to make with the medical staff this afternoon, whether he can play in this game or the next one,” he said.

Mikel Arteta addressed his previous comments about Arsenal being the best team in the league over the last few seasons. The Spaniard provided a nuanced perspective, acknowledging that while statistics may support his claim, the ultimate measure of success is winning the league title. “If we refer to the stats, the stats said that we were the best team in the league but the reality is that we didn't win the league so we still need to improve and be better,” he said.

Arteta emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, stating that his team is driven to succeed by internal pressure. “We are playing to win and that's exactly where we want to be. The pressure comes from within. You have to thrive to be the best that you possibly can be,” he said. This mindset will be crucial as Arsenal navigates an intense title race.

Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou have their say on the north London derby 🗣️#ARSTOT pic.twitter.com/SFR6Gj1RNC

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 15, 2025

Looking ahead to their upcoming match against Aston Villa, Arteta reflected on his team's recent 2-1 victory over North London rivals Tottenham. “I loved the attitude that the team played with, great occasion in front of our people, the atmosphere was brilliant but we move on to the next one, that's a big game,” he said. Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of facing Aston Villa, praising their strong team, great players, and excellent coach. “We will try as hard as possible to prepare in the best way to win. We know the difficulty of the team that they are, that's why they are performing so well. Great players, and a great coach.”