Mikel Arteta gives latest on Arsenal striker pursuit ahead of transfer deadline day

Mikel Arteta says a late move for a striker during the transfer window is ‘always possible’ but hinted that what Arsenal want to do and what is possible is not necessarily the same thing.

The Gunners have been chasing a signing in attack during the winter transfer window, with a serious knee injury for Gabriel Jesus increasing their need for a new forward.

A bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has proved unsuccessful, while winter moves for the likes of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko look to be out of reach.

Arteta watched his side romp to a 5-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday, which suggested their need for attacking reinforcements may not be as dire, but he does still remain short of a genuine centre-forward.

Asked if there will be a move before Monday’s transfer deadline, Arteta stated that he has been clear that he wants a new forward, but was coy on whether that will happen or not.

‘I don’t know. I have been focused in the last 24 hours on what we had to do to try to beat Man City. Now we have done it, ok, we will discuss the situation as we always do, then Newcastle, that’s the important thing,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘It’s about intentions, and the intention…I think we have been very clear from every angle of what we want to do. And the other is the reality and what you are able to do.’

On the prospect of a signing on Monday, he said: ‘It’s always possible.’

Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel remains a possibility, with the 19-year-old linked with a string of Premier League clubs.

Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea have also been touted as possible destinations for the teenager, but his future still undecided.

The German giants have turned down a loan bid from the Red Devils, while the player rejected a £50m move to Spurs.

Sky Sports report that an exit is till a possibility in the hours to come, but clearly both club and player need to be convinced.