Arsenal failed to sign a single player in the January window but manager Mikel Arteta has defended the Gunners’ business and technical director Edu, echoing the view of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
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Arteta insists he was ‘solution’ in Aubameyang’s Arsenal exit
Mikel Arteta has echoed Jurgen Klopp ‘s view on when to sign players in a staunch defence of Arsenal technical director Edu.
The Gunners boss was not backed with a single addition in the January transfer window, but Arteta – like the Liverpool manager – will only approve a signing for the ‘right reasons’ and not risk making a rash decision.
“Edu and his team did a fantastic job and they continue to do that,” Arteta stated when quizzed on Arsenal’s January business. “We only want the best players and the best people in this club.
“When we are in a rush and the reasons are not right for getting a player into the club, we decide not to do it.”
Klopp, on the other hand, managed to get Luis Diaz through the door for £50million – but the German affirmed he stuck by his one rule.
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“I have always been a believer in only signing players in January if you would want to sign them in the summer, and that’s very much the case with Luis,” Klopp told liverpoolfc.com, following the 25-year-old’s arrival from Porto.
Although Arteta and co remain a long way behind Liverpool in terms of league position, the Gunners are showing signs of getting their recruitment right, with all six signings from last summer breaking into the starting XI at some point during the first half of the season.
“We did what we believed was the right thing to do,” Arteta affirmed ahead of their trip to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Premier League on Thursday.
“The squad composition and contracts were catching up, be fair with players who haven’t had a lot of minutes. We had a clear plan of what we can do but then it has to be doable.”
One point of contention in Arsenal’s window was the absence of a new striker after being heavily linked to Fiorentina ‘s Dusan Vlahovic, who eventually chose to join Juventus.
After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ‘s departure to Barcelona, the Gunners now only have two recognised marksmen in the first-team squad – Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah – whose contracts both expire at the end of the term.
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“They are both more than capable of scoring goals and they have shown that over the years with us,” Arteta added, brushing off concerns. “Again, when we have to replace or improve the squad, it can only be with a player that we are certain of.
“First of all, that they’re the right person and the right character to join and then they’re a player with the quality to straight away impact the performance of the team and our capacity to build a future around him as well.”
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