Pundit claims Mikel Arteta has 'very stupidly' ruined Arsenal's title chances

Mikel Arteta has been told he has spent 'very stupidly' with Arsenal caught in a Financial Fair Play bind. The Gunners are currently five points behind leaders Liverpool, now playing catch up after a disappointing festive period that saw them squander points.

The Gunners have struggled to kill teams off this season, with Gabriel Jesus struggling for goals, while Eddie Nketiah and Kai Havertz have not been consistent either. Arsenal are said to have wanted to sign a striker in this January window, but they are unable to spend a significant amount due to racking up a more than £200million bill in the summer, leaving them too close to their Financial Fair Play limit.

Some fans have questioned the spending from Edu and Arteta, with £60million spent on Havertz, while the Gunners have also pre-agreed a £30million outlay for goalkeeper David Raya. One pundit in Gabriel Agbonlahor believes that spending was irresponsible.

“I think the biggest thing Arsenal fans are annoyed with and what Arteta will regret is spending a lot of his transfer budget on Havertz,” Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT.

“He wasn’t the answer. They could have £65m available now towards getting a striker like Ivan Toney. It’s going to cost them. They’ve got [Fabio] Vieira, they’ve got [Emile] Smith Rowe who are probably better than Havertz in the same position. So for me, Arteta has cost Arsenal the title by spending money very stupidly, I’d say.”

Arsenal are now said to be more likely to spend big on a striker during the summer window, while they will likely keep an eye out for any loan or cheap opportunities at the back end of this window. But that could mean they have to wait another year for a title, with Liverpool and City already possessing goalscorers.