Arsenal are currently at the summit of the top flight but Manchester City are hot on their heels, just one point behind, while London rivals Chelsea are only two adrift in third.
However, Gunners midfielder Arteta believes manager Arsene Wenger should be on the look-out for a striker in the January transfer window, claiming an over-reliance on Olivier Giroud could cost them the title.
Arsenal have netted 39 goals so far this term, with Frenchman Giroud joint top scorer with eight – level with midfielder Aaron Ramsey, while title-chasers City have found the back of the net some 57 times.
“There have been moments where we lacked finishing and sometimes you pay the price for that,” he told Spanish radio station Cope.
“The arrival of Mesut Ozil has given us a lot more punch in attack, speed and creativity.
“But we do not have the strikers Manchester City do to have more options. It is very important to create spaces, have a bigger presence in the middle and create one against ones on the wings.”
Nicklas Bendtner is one Arsenal striker under fire, with just two Premier League goals to his name this season, but Arteta believes his team-mate is crucial to the squad’s chances, especially with fellow strikers Giroud and Yaya Sanogo battling with injuries.
“His attitude has been spot on since I’ve been here and he knows that he has to wait for his time, Olivier [Giroud] has been doing really well,” he said on Arsenal’s official club website.
“The manager decided to play Lukas [Podolski] up front but when he [Bendtner] came on I think he looked really sharp and he looked dangerous.
“We need people like him to help the team when he’s needed.”
Arteta praised City strikers Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negrado, who have all reached double figures in all competitions already this term; and the Spaniard believes their prolific form gives the Manchester club an edge in the title race.
“City are the strongest squad in terms of quality,” he said.
“They have three world-class strikers that win the big games.”
Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂
