Former Arsenal midfielder feels club could regret not strengthening attack in January window

Jermaine Pennant believes Arsenal may regret not bolstering their squad in the January transfer window, especially in attack where injury has robbed them of options. 

The Gunners are set to be without Kai Havertz for the remainder of the season, adding to a missing list that already includes Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. 

It's left Mikel Arteta's men short of bodies in attack, and Pennant exclusively told DAZN News, thanks to NewBettingOffers.co.uk, that the board may rue not letting the manager add to his squad. 

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"I think Arteta already is probably seething at the teeth that he's not got somebody in," he said. 

"I think he wanted to get somebody in, but I think it was the board, it was the owners, who were more reluctant to give him the funds to go and get a replacement or someone who can fill the boots of any of Havertz or Jesus when they're not playing. 

"If they're credible of wanting to win Silverware and not just be a club that's always in the green, they will look back and then go, you know, we made a mistake. But if they're happy with coming second and being in the green and never in debt and earning a lot of profit, then for them, they will look back and go, well, it wasn't a mistake, because it's all about the ambitions of the club. 

"We know that Arteta wants to win things, but do the owners?" 
 

Arsenal found an unlikely goalscoring hero at the weekend, when Mikel Merino came off the bench and scored twice in a makeshift forward role. Still, former Gunner Pennant says that he can't see the Spanish midfielder having the same impact against the Premier League's more dangerous sides. 

Adding: "If you're relying on Merino coming off the bench or starting in school on your goals, then I think you're in a bit of bother.  

"Where they got lucky is that they were playing a team who were destined to get relegated. Not won a game at home since we don't know when and scored five goals at home all season. So they're a team who are struggling.

"I feel if they were playing against a proper team, a team that's established in the Premier League, that's got a bit more nuance about them, I think Arsenal would have struggled in that game.

"I don't think they would have lost, but I don't think Moreno would have scored the two goals playing against a better team.

"I think that's where Arsenal are going to struggle when they go away to teams like Nottingham Forest, where you need more than Merino. You need a proper striker to unlock their defence." 

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