Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal 's decision not to sign a single player in the January transfer window, including a striker.
The Gunners were heavily linked with a host of star names last month but failed to bring in any reinforcements for Arteta's first-team squad, having built momentum for a top-four finish heading into 2022.
Fiorentina 's Dusan Vlahovic was Arsenal's top target but the striker snubbed the north Londoners to sign for Serie A giants Juventus, just as Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes did by joining cash-rich Newcastle United.
"We did what we believed was the right thing to do," Arteta affirmed ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
"The squad composition and contracts were catching up, be fair with players who haven't had a lot of minutes. We had a clear plan of what we can do but then it has to be doable."
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Supporters were critical of technical director Edu 's dealings in January, despite a summer window which saw the club splash out over £150million on six signings, all of whom have immediately entered the senior setup.
The Gunners boss retorted: "Edu and his team have done a great job. We are very clear we only want the best people and the best players at this club.
"When we are in a rush and the reasons to get a player on board are not the right ones we didn't do it."
After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang terminated his contract and signed for Barcelona on transfer deadline day, Arteta has just two recognised strikers at his disposal, but he brushed off concerns over being left short in that department.
"Well, we have two strikers," the Spaniard added. "We have Laca [ Alexandre Lacazette ], we have Eddie [Nketiah] with us. They are both capable of scoring goals."
Aubameyang's departure was likely a welcome sight for Arteta, having frozen the 31-year-old out after stripping him of the captaincy in December following a disciplinary breach.
And upon his arrival at the Nou Camp, Aubameyang claimed Arteta was the only problem he had at the Emirates, forcing the Gunners boss to respond ahead of Thursday's trip to Molineux.
"I'm extremely grateful for what Auba has done at the club, for his contributions since I got here," Arteta noted.
"The way I see myself in that relationship is the solution, not the problem."
The 39-year-old was asked to elaborate on Aubameyang's inflammatory remarks, although he dodged any heat by simply saying: "That's his opinion. We have to respect that."
