Merson tells Arsenal they ‘need two signings immediately’ after ‘worrying’ Arteta decision

Joe Williams
Arsenal legend Paul Merson takes part in a charity football match

Paul Merson says Arsenal “need two signings” that they can “buy immediately” after watching them run “out of ideas” against Newcastle United.

The Gunners have made a brilliant start to the Premier League season with Mikel Arteta’s side winning 14, drawing two and losing one of their first 17 matches.

That has put them five points clear of second-placed Manchester City with Arsenal looking to win their first Premier League title since 2004.

Arsenal failed to score for the first time in the league this season when they were held to a 0-0 draw against third-placed Newcastle United on Tuesday.

Arteta was dealt a blow when Gabriel Jesus picked up a serious injury at the World Cup and the Gunners are expected to attempt to bring in one or two players during the January transfer window to boost their squad.

Merson thinks two new signings are required, especially after seeing Arteta fail to bring summer signing Fabio Vieira off the bench against Newcastle earlier in the week.

“I think Arsenal need two signings this January, they’ve got to go out and buy immediately,” Merson told the Daily Star.

“I watched them against Newcastle and they ran out of ideas. Don’t get me wrong, Newcastle defended really well and it was hard to break down but you’ve got to be able to change it up.

“There were no fresh legs. They paid £34million for Fabio Vieira but still didn’t put him on. For me, that was the worrying thing.

“I wouldn’t just say they needed fresh legs, I’d say fresh brains as well. There was no guile or differentiation.

“Even if they just swapped the wingers over for 10 minutes, Mikel Arteta seemed to be so engrossed in the game on the touchline that it quickly passed Arsenal by.

“Arsenal need to set Shakhtar Donetsk a deadline with Mykhaylo Mudryk. They’ve offered £62m and it should now be “take it or leave it” otherwise the January transfer window will soon be over.”

Eddie Howe yesterday insisted that Newcastle’s job is not to be popular after they ruffled more feathers by holding Arsenal to a draw on Tuesday.

Howe told reporters: “We are not here to be popular and to get other teams to like us. We are here to compete and to compete, we have to give everything to try and get a positive result.

“I’ve got no issue saying that. That is our job and that’s what we’re going to try and continue to do.”

READ MORE: Transfer gossip: Mudryk now ‘torn’ between Arsenal and Chelsea; Man Utd ‘agree’ striker loan