'They have been more efficient' - Artetapublished at 23:18 5 February
23:18 5 February
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports: "We had momentum in the first half and didn't capitalise.
"They scored immediately after and the momentum shifts. We needed a goal early in the second half and we didn't get that and the opportunity passes.
"They have been more efficient than us in the boxes and that is the difference in the tie. You need to be on the day very efficient - that is what takes you close to winning trophies and today we weren't.
"Today is painful and tomorrow [is] a different day."
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (4-0 on aggregate) - send us your thoughtspublished at 21:59 5 February
Winning silverware now 'would be even bigger achievement'published at 16:01 5 February
16:01 5 February
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
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Not signing anyone new means Arsenal will have to compete for silverware in the Premier League, Champions League and in tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final at Newcastle, with just one fit senior striker - Kai Havertz.
Havertz has done an excellent job there and has scored 15 goals in 33 games in all competitions this season.
However, he will need to replicate that form without any dips for the rest of the campaign if Arsenal want to get over the line and lift a trophy this season.
Arsenal have lined up Martin Zubimendi as a signing for the summer and also have other long-term plans for the squad so they were careful in how they were going to spend their money in the winter window.
Ollie Watkins was a potential deal and the club approached Aston Villa but with Jhon Duran leaving for Saudi Arabia in a deal around £70m, that was a harder signing to make happen.
It leaves a lot for Arteta to ask of Havertz and his other wide players in the squad but Arsenal have a lot to play for.
Arteta may have to get creative before Arsenal bolster in the summer but if he is able to win something this season, it would make the achievement even bigger.
'A powerhouse' - Arteta backs Havertz to handle workloadpublished at 08:29 5 February
08:29 5 February
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta concedes it is "a possibility" that Kai Havertz will have to start all of the remaining games this season after another striker was not signed in the transfer window.
After Gabriel Jesus suffered a season-ending injury in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United in January, Arsenal were linked with strikers across Europe and had a bid for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins rejected.
Asked about the chances Havertz could now be expected to play every match between now and the end of the campaign, Arteta said: "It is a possibility, but maybe we go through that scenario and he scores another 15 or 18 goals.
"Can you imagine? That's a good scenario."
"Kai has played a lot of football but his robustness and his availability is unbelievable.
"Genetically, he is a powerhouse. He is so well-built. He is a player that anything you ask him, he is happy to do: to run, to be very robust, to make long distances. His body absorbs everything - and then he really looks after himself.
"When you see the professional, how he lives his life, it is immaculate. He does more than any other player there. That is not a coincidence. And he is so intelligent. He knows what is good for him and what is not.
"We know how to manage him and we believe that when he says something it is for the right reason, not because he wants to avoid something. When something works, don't touch him."
Havertz will spearhead Arsenal's attack as they bid to overturn a two-goal deficit against Newcastle in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday evening.
"The next stop is a final in Wembley so we know how big that is and you can feel it," added Arteta. "The momentum is with us so now is the the moment to go full gas.
"We're excited, willing, hungry and enthusiastic because we are very close to playing a final."
Lack of signings an 'enormous gamble'published at 18:06 4 February
18:06 4 February
Laura Kirk-Francis Fan writer
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To call Arsenal's January transfer window a damp squib would be an insult to damp squibs everywhere.
As the clock ticked towards 23:00 GMT on Monday, only the most optimistic or deluded fans clung to hope of a last-minute signing. When the window shut, Arsenal's fate was sealed: they will finish the season with almost the same squad they started with.
This is an enormous gamble from the club. With Gabriel Jesus suffering a long-term injury during the FA Cup third-round defeat by Manchester United, it was inconceivable that Arsenal would not bring in reinforcements.
The Gunners' struggles in front of goal have been evident all season. Kai Havertz, despite his excellent work-rate, is not the clinical finisher they need. He is also exhausted, having missed only three Premier League matches all season.
January is always a tricky market, but options were there. The rumoured £40m bid for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, reportedly turned down, will frustrate many. Watkins, a consistent thorn in Arsenal's side, would not only have bolstered the attack but also stopped him scoring against them.
Villa were reported to have wanted at least £60m, a price many fans would have happily paid. Not since signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a similar fee seven years ago have Arsenal bought a true striker. Bidding £40m for one feels very 2018.
There are two explanations for this inaction. Either Arsenal believe the squad is legitimately good enough to win a trophy this year, or they are saving funds for a big summer of spending and are unwilling to panic buy in the short term.
Sunday's statement win over Manchester City, which included five different scorers, will be a welcome reminder that Arsenal have firepower going forward.
It is the age-old dilemma of building sustainably for long-term success or gamblimg on a player to win now. With fans desperate for a first league title in over 20 years, many would have preferred the latter.
Every game is now a tightrope for Arsenal. Not only must they avoid dropping points in order to narrow the gap to Liverpool, but any injury to their forward players could be catastrophic.
Unfortunately, I fear it is a question of when, not if.
Could Arsenal pay price for inactivity?published at 17:30 4 February
17:30 4 February
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
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Arsenal ended the transfer window basking in the elation of that 5-1 thrashing of champions Manchester City, as well as the role played in it by talented teenagers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.
The elephant in the room, as they still trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by six points having played a game more, is Arsenal's failure to bring in the reliable, recognised marksman most seasoned observers believe they need.
It is clearly a view shared by manager Mikel Arteta, hence the failed bid to prise England striker Ollie Watkins away from Aston Villa during this window.
And the angst hung in the air when Kai Havertz missed a golden chance to put Arsenal 2-0 up against City. Social media was alive with questions about that lack of a striker, although all was well that ended well as the German later provided a clinical finish in that rout of City.
This was a problem that should have been addressed in the summer, when Arsenal were strongly linked with RB Leipzig's Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, but no deal transpired.
Arteta will point to Arsenal's second place behind Liverpool, not only in the table but in goals scored with 49, as well as automatic progress into the last 16 of the Champions League, as proof that there is no need for panic measures.
He has a point, but the suspicion remains that Arsenal may yet pay the price for the lack of a match-winning striker as the season goes on.
Arteta on transfer window, attacking options and semi-finalpublished at 16:08 4 February
16:08 4 February
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle, external (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
The Gunners lost the first leg 2-0 in January.
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
All of Arteta's players came through the 5-1 win over Manchester City without any injury problems.
Reflecting on the January transfer window, Arteta said: "We had a clear intention which is always to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players than can impact it. We haven't achieved it so we are disappointed in that sense, but as well, we are very aware that we only want to bring in certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well. I think we were."
With Gabriel Jesus injured and no new striker signed in the window, Arteta said he will likely have to be "flexible" with his attacking options, with Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli all named by the Arsenal boss as potential options to play up front.
Teenagers Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have impressed at first-team level in recent weeks. Arteta said managing the development of young players is a "lot of responsibility" but one that is shared and he believes they are in "good hands" at Arsenal.
On trying to overturn a two-goal deficit in the second leg: "The next stop is the final at Wembley. We know how big that is and you can feel it straight away - the buzz that the game gave us, winning against Manchester City and in the manner that we did it. We're going to give it a real go."
Have Arsenal had a confidence boost?published at 13:32 4 February
13:32 4 February
Media caption,
Former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones praises Arsenal's transfer approach, saying the Gunners do not make "rash decisions" and does not "panic buy" players during transfer windows.
Arsenal show City need new ideas - Nevinpublished at 11:32 4 February
11:32 4 February
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
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Manchester City's visit to Arsenal gave some crystal-clear answers regarding both teams' current situations. City are "also rans" this season, even if they've had a recent mini-revival.
Pep's tactics were incredibly frustrating to watch, but goodness knows how Erling Haaland feels. Starved of any meaningful service, they finally gave him something to attack in the 55th minute and he devoured it. Apart from that moment, the continuous, almost monotonous slow and deliberate build-ups, that demands no risk to possession, must drive the Norwegian wild.
They may have had 10% more possession and played nearly 100 more passes than the home side but that isn't the most important thing. It should be about possession in the right areas at the right time and it is dangerous passes rather than safe ones that are key when you want to actually score some goals.
For quite some time, City have been a team you admire, but don't always enjoy watching. Now they are no longer a winning machine, but play with only one formula and are seemingly incapable of changing up a few gears during matches. They can become infuriatingly dull to observe.
Arsenal's performance after losing that goal to Haaland was an object lesson in pace, imagination, the fearlessness of youth and the ability to slip through the gears effortlessly leaving the visitors stalled on the starting grid. City don't just need new players, they need some new, or at the very least adaptable ideas.
'Arteta deserves credit for nurturing young talent'published at 09:10 4 February
09:10 4 February
Image source, PA Media
The Athletic's Rory Smith, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club about Arsenal academy products such as Ethan Nwaneri impressing at first-team level: "It's testament to the environment Mikel Arteta has created. His record with young players is underestimated.
"You think about how long he's worked with Bukayo Saka and the improvement we've seen in Saka, Martin Odegaard was young when he arrived at Arsenal and Arteta has helped improve him enormously. William Saliba as well. These all started out as young players in Arsenal's team.
"Arteta deserves a lot of credit for nurturing young talent. He's got a proven track record of being able to do that, and the entire club deserves credit for creating a space in which they can come through.
"The final bit of the pathway [from academy to first team] has always been the thing clubs struggle with. You can be incredible in an academy and if you find your pathway blocked when you're ready for the first team, that talent will not flourish.
"Arsenal have been really good at allowing those players to find their way into the first team."
Gossip: Arsenal target busy summerpublished at 06:30 4 February
06:30 4 February
While Arsenal did not make any signings in the January transfer window, summer deals for RB Leipzig's Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko, 21, and Real Sociedad's Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 26, may have progressed. (Football.London), external
Athletic Bilbao's 22-year-old Spain winger Nico Williams remains Gunners boss Mikel Arteta's priority signing. (Football Transfers), external
Midfielder Jorginho has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Brazilian side Flamengo in the summer when his contract at Emirates Stadium expires. (Mirror), external
Arsenal 'ready' but signings not imminentpublished at 11:08 3 February
11:08 3 February
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The talk around Arsenal coming into this transfer window was whether they would sign a striker.
Mikel Arteta has been clear throughout January that if they saw a deal that would improve the squad and help the team long term then the club would do it.
The injury to Gabriel Jesus lessened the options - but they are still finding the back of the net.
Arsenal are the second-highest scorers in the Premier League after Sunday's 5-1 win over Manchester City and top scorer Kai Havertz was one of those to find the net.
While the forward has been criticised this season, he now has 15 goals.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have said Arsenal are ready to make signings, but new players are not imminent.
Mathys Tel has been linked but a move for him from Bayern Munich does not look likely.
'I'd be amazed if Arsenal do not sign a striker before transfer deadline'published at 09:19 3 February
09:19 3 February
Danny Murphy BBC Sport columnist
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What would definitely help Arsenal's chances is if they are able to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closes.
I can see why Mikel Arteta likes Kai Havertz so much, because of his game intelligence - when to press and when to drop - and he plays that role so well for the team.
He misses a lot of chances, like he did on Sunday, which is why he has had a bit of stick recently but you can never doubt his work ethic and the value that brings.
In an ideal world, Arteta would like a striker who does the same amount of work as Havertz and also scores more goals, but there are not too many of them about.
Tottenham's Dominic Solanke is one, and so is Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins - which is why the Gunners have already made an offer for him.
Both of those players are a little bit different to Havertz, because he was a 10 before so knows how to drop in and link play better, but I am not thinking about a replacement for him anyway.
Arsenal are trying to win the Premier League and Champions League so it is more the case that, with Gabriel Jesus sidelined, they need an alternative for Havertz if he gets injured.
They are not just going to sign any striker - he has to have the qualities Arteta needs - but there is definitely a hole to be filled there in their squad.
If they don't bring anyone in on Monday, they could find themselves short at a crucial stage of the season. I'd be amazed if they let that happen.
Title race will be 'closer than you think' - Walcottpublished at 08:32 3 February
08:32 3 February
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After impressive wins for Liverpool and Arsenal at the weekend, former England internationals Theo Walcott and Danny Murphy discussed how they think the Premier League title race will unfold.
Walcott: "Arsenal had to win [against Manchester City on Sunday] and put in a statement performance.
"Liverpool are, at this moment, playing at some level.
"It's going to be closer than you think but Liverpool, at this moment, I just don't see them slipping up. That's why it was really important for Arsenal to play that level."
Murphy: "Arsenal showed in the second half of last season that they're capable of going on a great run.
"The game in hand that Liverpool have got [against an in-form Everton at Goodison Park] - a few weeks ago it seemed like a gimme. But now it's not going to be a walk in the park."
What do you want on deadline day?published at 07:29 3 February
07:29 3 February
We asked you what would ensure you are satisfied this deadline day.
Here are some of your comments:
Charlie: I would be dissatisfied if Arsenal go and buy an average striker. I would rather wait and see them buy someone who will make a real difference, for example Benjamin Sesko in the summer.
Dan: Well, we need a striker! With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus out for the foreseeable, it would be criminal not to sign one. I fear that the bid for Ollie Watkins was a smokescreen. They knew they wouldn't get him and I don't believe there's an intention to buy one either.
Lara: We are not desperate for anyone - we just need our best players to find some form and decisions to be fair from the officials. Watkins or a striker would be nice with Jesus out, but we can cope so long as our top players start to perform. There are too many under par, particularly our captain.
Lew: A striker. Yet once again Arsenal have left it late in the window to do anything, so we will probably end up with nothing, or a panic buy that does nothing to help the team.
Guy: So disappointed. All of our competition is improving. We have sold a promising young player to a rival and haven't bought anyone in. A clinical striker is a must and I'd also like a winger as Raheem Sterling just isn't good enough.
Farid: We need a number nine, not another winger.No world-class number nine is available right now. But there are affordable hidden gems who can solve our immediate problem and we have a good chance of signing. A good example would be Jonathan David of Ligue 1 outfit Lille, who is almost at the end of his contract.
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