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Mikel Arteta gives update on Arsenal transfers as January deadline approaches


Mikel Arteta promised Arsenal were still looking to make signings in the final week of the January transfer window as he hailed his young side following their FA Cup win over Bournemouth.

First-half goals from youngsters Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah were enough to see the Gunners into the fifth round, despite Sam Surridge’s injury-time consolation goal making for a tense finish.

Arsenal now face a trip to Portsmouth in the last 16, with ties to be held in the week commencing March 2.

Arteta said he had “a lot of faith” in his young team, with 20-year-old Joe Willock and 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli having featured from the start at the Vitality Stadium alongside Saka, 18, and Nketiah, 20.

“Very pleased. It’s always tough to come here and win, we’ve done it with a young team as well,” said Arteta, speaking to BBC Sport.

Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal team are ‘willing and hungry and will only get better’

“I have a lot of faith in them. I think they are developing really well. They are willing and hungry and will only get better.”

Arteta stressed the importance of the FA Cup to Arsenal, with the Gunners having lifted the famous trophy 13 times – more than any other club.

And the Arsenal boss said he and his staff had done their homework on Bournemouth to ensure the best chance of progression to the next round.

“We analyse opponents and try to generate situations that are favourable for our players,” said Arteta.

Eddie Nketiah celebrates after scoring Arsenal’s decisive goal on Monday night

“I was worried with their history in the last few weeks we would concede in the last few minutes.”

He added: “Our history with this cup is massive for the club. We need to take it step by step.”

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While Arteta has confidence in his developing team, he insisted he was still on the lookout or bargains in the final week of the January transfer window.

He said: “We are in the market. We are looking for some things with the resources we have and we will tell you when we have more news.”





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