Mikel Arteta delivers new Arsenal transfer vow before Man City clash after Ollie Watkins bid | OneFootball

Gunners are yet to sign a coveted new striker ahead of crunch Premier League clash at the Emirates

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s transfer plans will not be impacted by the result of Sunday’s showdown with Manchester City.

The Gunners are currently sitting six points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand and travel to face high-flying Bournemouth on Saturday.

“It might do, you know, but no, because that would mean that we haven’t planned anything and we’re just reacting to something last second, which is not good.”

Arsenal want to sign a striker before the transfer window shuts and have had an approach turned down for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins.

The club are also long-term admirers of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko, but neither player will move before the deadline.

“I’m very confident with the work that the club is doing, and exploring every single opportunity that we believe can have an impact on the team,” said Arteta.

“If that’s certainly the case and we can agree on something, we will, and if not, we won’t. We are trying everything that we can, but I don’t want to give any reassurance or not.

“It doesn’t depend only on us, so our intention is clear, but the possibilities are affected by three parties. We are actively looking, proactively, to find a solution in that position and we’ll see what the market brings.

“We look at what we have in this squad and what we are lacking and what can really impact and bring something that potentially can make us much better, regardless of the age or sometimes the background that they have.

“It’s a real belief that player can be really good for us over time. We have the intention, the purpose and the ambition to try to help the team and support the squad to be better and to finish the season really, really strong. And we are actively trying to do that.”