Mikel Arteta admits 'it does not look realistic' for Arsenal to sign a striker in the January transfer window... despite the Gunners' struggles in front of goal

Mikel Arteta has thrown the possibility of misfiring Arsenal signing a new striker in January into doubt after his team’s latest poor showing in front of goal.

The Gunners squandered a glut of excellent chances, particularly in the first half, in their loss to Liverpool on Sunday leading to supporters calling on the club to land a new striker this month after the final whistle.

However, Arteta said: ‘At the moment it does not look realistic (that Arsenal will sign a striker).

‘What my job is, and what we have to do is improve our players and try to get better results with the players we have.

‘One thing is what we need and another is what we can do. What we need to do now is stick behind those players, give them some love, train them and make sure they visualise something very different to what is actually happening now. They’ve done it.

Mikel Arteta has admitted that 'it does not look realistic' for Arsenal to sign a striker in the January transfer window

‘We’re not going to reinvent the wheel, because they’ve done it.’

The result was Arsenal’s third successive defeat during a run that has seen them win just once in seven matches.

The Gunners are scheduled to fly to Dubai this week for a mini-sunshine break ahead of their next game against Crystal Palace on January 20.

‘It is very difficult, but if the team is getting hammered and not playing well and not deserving to win football matches I’d be much more worried,’ said Arteta.

‘I’m worried because I love winning and we have to win many more games. At the minute that’s the thing we have to change and probably what has to be reset.

‘This break is good. It comes in a good time. We’re going to as well feel how we feel and how I feel about them in difficult moments.

'Hopefully I can see that from other people too. When things are going well they jump on the train. Now things are difficult, let’s see where they stand.

‘When my team plays with that courage and attitude against probably the best team in Europe right now in terms of momentum what can I do but stick by them and support them.’