Free-scoring Arsenal will still chase striker in summer – Arteta،
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal's goalscoring form will not impact their summer transfer plans, with the club still expecting to search for a new striker.
Arsenal won all seven Premier League matches in 2024 by an aggregate score of 31-3, becoming the first team in English football history to win three consecutive away matches by five or more goals.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
Arsenal beat Sheffield United 6-0 at Bramall Lane on Monday and have a chance to close the gap on at least one of the top two when they face Brentford on Saturday, 24 hours before Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield.
The north London club are widely expected to sign a centre-forward this summer, and Arteta said the recent rush for goals has not changed their strategy which he said dates back to the start of the current campaign.
“The plans we have for the summer are very clear,” Arteta told a press conference on Thursday. “They finished almost at the start of the season understanding what we can have, the contract situations with certain players and how we can improve certain areas of the team. This situation doesn't change that.”
Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Ivan Toney ahead of the January window, but Brentford valued the 27-year-old at around £80 million ($102 million) and ultimately received no offers.
Sources have told ESPN that while Toney remains on their radar, the Gunners have cooled their interest in the England international as they consider other options with Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyökeres and Brighton's Evan Ferguson among possible alternatives .
Asked if he could rule out a summer move for Toney, Arteta replied: “I'm not talking about any other players. Otherwise I will have to rule out all the other players on the market because we are linked with a lot of the players .”
Aaron Ramsdale will make a rare appearance for Arsenal in goal, with David Raya ineligible to face his parent club after joining the Gunners on an initial loan deal with an option to make the transfer permanent for £27m.
Ramsdale has only played six times since Raya made the switch to London, most recently in January's FA Cup third round home defeat to Liverpool.
“He is perfectly prepared,” Arteta said. He trains every day. He desperately wants to play like the rest of the boys who haven't had many chances. Saturday will be a great opportunity for him.
“He's been brilliant. He's really supported me and pushed in training every day like I expected. It's a joy to have two top goalkeepers in the team.
“One of the hardest things is dealing with players who don't get the playing time they deserve. Not just Aaron, but there are many. We have an incredible group of players.
“We try to be frank, explain things to them, be close to them and give them our support. Then, when they have the opportunity, they want to make the best possible contribution to the team. That’s what Aaron will want to do on Saturday.”
