Mikel Arteta reveals injury blow could force Arsenal to make new signing

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are still in the market to sign a new striker after losing Gabriel Jesus to injury.

The Gunners sealed a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday night to make it two wins out of two at the start of the new Premier League campaign.

With Ollie Watkins wasteful for the hosts, Leandro Trossard came off the bench to give his side the lead with Thomas Partey wrapping up the win with an effort from the edge of the box.

Jesus was absent from the Gunners squad with the club confirming ahead of kick-off he is sidelined with a groin injury. The Brazil international is set to undergo an MRI scan to determine the severity of the problem.

The former Manchester City star has been sidelined with various issues since joining the club two years ago and with Eddie Nketiah expected to leave the club to join Nottingham Forest, it leaves Kai Havertz as their only real option up top.

Arsenal have signed defender Riccardo Calafiori this summer with Mikel Merino set to arrive from Real Sociedad to bolster their options in midfield.

But Arteta has admitted the club are ‘still short’ up front and hopes the club can bring in another option before the summer transfer window closes next Friday.

‘We are really happy with the squad we have,’ Arteta told Sky Sports after the win over Villa.

‘It is true we have an injury with Gabriel Jesus as well and we missed him. So we are a little bit short. If we can do something we will do it but at the moment we love the ones we have, they are really, really good.’

Asked if he believes the squad is strong enough to win the Premier League title this season, Arteta continued: ‘If everybody is fit, yes.

‘But that is why we need good availability from everybody. We don’t have 23 outfield players and normally you have to be equipped like that.

‘We have to trust in our academy players and make sure we look after the ones we have to be robust.’

Arsenal have been credited with strong interest in Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres and Napoli star Victor Osimhen, who is expected to leave Italy this summer.

Ivan Toney was a target for the club in January but that interest has reportedly faded.