Arteta speaks on Arsenal's search for a striker

The talk around Arsenal this week has again been dominated by the club's search for a striker.

After news broke that the Gunners had approached Aston Villa for striker Ollie Watkins, Mikel Arteta was always going to be asked about the striker search in the January transfer window.

About 100 miles north at Villa's training ground, boss Unai Emery was saying Watkins had told him he wanted to stay in the West Midlands anyway.

Arsenal have predominately signed younger players in recent windows but when asked if they were looking for an experienced striker, like Watkins, Arteta said there are many factors that have to be considered.

"We don't really look at the market in those terms," he said. "We look at what we have in this squad, 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 that player can be really good for us over time."