Much has been made of Arsenal's need to sign a new striker in the summer, but manager Mikel Arteta doesn't seem to agree with that theory.
The Gunners crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday night after losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final. The Bundesliga giants progressed to the last four after a 3-2 aggregate victory that highlighted some of the flaws in Arsenal's current set-up.
Arteta's side were guilty of spurning some big chances in the first leg at the Emirates, before failing to really lay a glove on their hosts at the Allianz. Both games supported the popular theory that if Arsenal are to start winning the major honours again, they must land a new striker that guarantees them goals.
One person who seems to think so is Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel. The former Red Devils goalkeeper conducted an interview with Arteta in the immediate aftermath of the defeat by Bayern and asked if elimination from the Champions League could be put down to not having a 'proper striker' up front.
"No, I don’t think so because we’re the team that’s scored more goals in the Premier League and you’re talking about like this," Arteta replied. Schmeichel was quick to point out that that's because Arsenal get their goals from 'everywhere', but the Gunners boss fired back.
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"From everywhere, and we have to," Arteta added. "Because the reality is we don’t have a striker who is going to score 35, 40 goals – and we have to live with that.
"We have many other qualities. And today’s the day to stick behind the players because they have given us so much, they have taken us on this journey and we still have the Premier League to play."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Arsenal sign a new striker in the summer? Comment below
Arsenal's attacking performance underwhelmed at Bayern Munich (Getty Images)Arsenal have been linked with a number of strikers over the last few months. Brentford talisman Ivan Toney was touted with a move to the Emirates, but it is believed the Gunners hierarchy aren't willing to meet the Bees' asking price.
Newcastle United's main man Alexander Isak is the latest player to be the subject of rumours suggesting he is bound for the Emirates. The Magpies are reportedly in a position where they need to sell at least one key asset to meet FFP demands.
Arteta's frustration that Arsenal don't currently have someone within their ranks that can net 35 goals in a season was apparent, but his answer to Schmeichel and his claim that the club "has to live with that" suggests a new striker may not be on the cards at all this summer.
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