Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has conceded that it is not "realistic" for the Gunners to pursue a new striker in the January transfer window after their attacking shortcomings came to the fore once again in a 2-0 FA Cup third-round loss to Liverpool.
The 14-time winners of the tournament were in the ascendancy for the majority of the contest against Jurgen Klopp's side, but as has been the case throughout the festive period, profligacy bedevilled them.
Reiss Nelson, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were all guilty of missing gilt-edged chances in North London, and Arsenal were punished via a Jakub Kiwior own goal and late Luis Diaz effort into the roof of the net.
By failing to score despite having 18 attempts on goal - five of which were on target - Arsenal slumped to a third defeat on the bounce, and they have scored just one goal from an Expected Goals (xG) total of 6.47 across those 270 minutes of football.
A run of one win from their last seven games in all tournaments is Arsenal's worst record in a seven-match period under Arteta, and their attacking woes come amid frequent calls from Gooners for the club to pursue a new attacker in the ongoing transfer window.
© Reuters
However, speaking to the media after the game, Arteta warned fans to expect disappointment on the transfer front, as Arsenal's winter business is expected to be limited due to Financial Fair Play regulations.
"At the moment it does not look realistic. What my job is, and what we have to do is improve our players and try to get better results with the players we have," the Spaniard said.
"What I beg from the supporters is that they are behind the team like they have been in difficult moments. Stick behind the ones that we have. They are incredibly good.
"If not then they don't do what they've done today and in Anfield. Stick by them. That's exactly what they need. Then they feel important and supported. With their attitude they don't deserve anything different. That's my opinion."
Prior to kickoff, Arsenal lost first-choice striker Gabriel Jesus to a minor knee injury, and despite Eddie Nketiah's availability, Arteta selected Havertz to operate at the tip of his attack.
© Reuters
The German was guilty of hesitating in front of goal, though - especially in the first half - while Nketiah also failed to impact the game in the short time that he was on the field as a substitute.
Jesus has already been forced to go under the knife for two previous knee problems, although Arteta is confident that his latest concern is not a serious one, and he expects him to travel to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp next week.
"He had some pain in his knee, so we did a scan and it showed something. Hopefully it is not something big, it's the same knee that he had [previously injured] so we cannot take any risks. Hopefully not [a big injury]," Arteta added.
Arsenal have long been linked with a move for Brentford talisman Ivan Toney, but the Bees are unlikely to sanction the Englishman's mid-season sale for less than £100m, forcing the Gunners to abandon their efforts for the time being.
Following their stopover in the Middle East, Arsenal will return to Premier League action with a home fixture against London rivals Crystal Palace on January 20.
Ben Knapton
