Mikel Arteta hits back in awkward exchange over Arsenal's January transfer plans

Mikel Arteta hit back at a journalist as he was quizzed on whether he sees a striker as a "necessity".

Arsenal are yet to bring in any new faces this month with calls for a new forward increasing, especially if the club are to chase down Liverpool in the Premier League title race. The Gunners have opted against signing one in the past - back in the summer they had the chance to but failed to get a deal over the line.

That lack of a prolific No 9 has come back to haunt them on occasion and now they have a chance to address the issue. There is a narrative which claims Arteta does not see adding an out and out frontman as a priority.

Previously at Manchester City, when he was assistant, the team would play without a natural striker and he now often lines up with a false 9 but Arteta was stunned and hit back when that idea was put to him.

A journalist said: "You clearly don't share that same sentiment. Do you think it is essential to sign a forward..."

Arteta quickly rejected that and said: "Have I ever said no to a striker?" That led to a swift response: "No, but you don't feel it's a necessity do you?" The Arsenal boss took issue with that school of thought and said: "How do you say that?"

The journalist was then asked to be more specific with the question before the Spanish coach made his feelings known on the matter. He said: "My opinion is clear. We lost two very important players in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. So we lack goals, we lack people, we lack options up front. That is clear."

Arsenal have been linked with several names as they look to find someone who can lead their line. Kai Havertz has emerged as a makeshift option over the past 12 months but is not a natural in the position with the likes of Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha all linked.

Arteta recently underlined his desire to do something before the window closes as he said: "We are going to try for sure. We are actively looking at [a new forward]. I think we have lost two very, very important players, we have 14 players in the squad, and we play every three days. We will try but let’s see who we can get."