Mikel Arteta has conceded that Arsenal have not spent as much on forwards as their rivals but says that bringing in an extra body is not guaranteed to improve the squad. Arsenal have failed to score or scored only once in 13 out of their 30 matches in all competitions this season and passed up several opportunities against Newcastle in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle.

Mikel Arteta has suggested Arsenal's failure to adapt to the Carabao Cup ball was a factor in Tuesday's 2-0 semifinal, first leg defeat to Newcastle United.