Bullish Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal can win the Premier League WITHOUT making any transfers in January

MIKEL ARTETA has told Arsenal fans: We can win the Prem without splashing the cash in January.

The Gunners boss insists he will not panic buy in this transfer window, suggesting a new striker would be NO guarantee of catching leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal have been rocked by injuries to Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Raheem Sterling (knee) that have severely weakened Arteta’s attacking options.

It is why the North Londoners have been linked with a move for Newcastle’s £150million-rated forward Alexander Isak — a player club legend Paul Merson says they should “break the bank” for.

But Arteta claims his side have more than enough firepower with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz to make up the six-point gap on Arne Slot’s Reds — who also have a game in hand.

Ahead of today’s  trip to Brighton, Spaniard Arteta explained: “Signing somebody is not enough, that’s for sure.

“That signing has to score then how many goals? Score 20 goals from here to the end and you have a better chance? Maybe, yes.

“If something stronger is in the market that we can afford and believe is going to have a real impact, we always have to be open to that possibility. But at the moment, the focus is on what we have.

“I’m very happy with the players  we have and the number of goals we’ve scored, it’s more than enough to win a Premier League.

"But someone is doing more, so we have to be better. That’s life.”

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Those numbers include breaking their Prem record with 91 league goals last season, as well as notching 114 goals in all competitions in 2024 at their best rate for over 60 years.

So far this term, Arsenal have 38 Prem goals — only Tottenham (41) and Liverpool (45) have more.

Jesus has three top-flight goals while Havertz has seven — compared to Isak’s impressive tally of 12 in 17 league outings for the Toon.

The absence of Saka — with five goals and 10 assists in the Prem — could also have a damaging impact on Arsenal’s scoring ability, but Arteta remains calm.

After two  years of finishing second behind Manchester City, Arteta said: “If we panic in the transfer window it means we are not prepared.

"When you are well prepared, your decision will be better, very well processed. We are ready if we have to do something.”

Arsenal’s reduced attacking power is highlighted by Liverpool’s red-hot  strikeforce that includes Mo Salah (17 Prem goals], Cody Gakpo (five) and Luis Diaz (eight).

Arteta added: “Liverpool’s situation is different.

"They have amazing players that they have signed over the years and they have invested a lot of money there.

“We have another kind of fantastic players that have produced a lot for us, so I’m very happy with what we have.

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“All we have to do is show the same level of consistency and a bit more, because the last year we have been the best team in the league, broken various records and still haven’t won a major trophy. So, something is missing.”

Havertz is set to return for Arsenal after recovering from a sickness bug.

And Arteta is also confident Ben White can be back sooner than expected following November’s knee operation.

German striker Havertz was absent from  the 3-1 victory at Brentford on New Year’s Day due to illness.

But Arteta revealed he is well enough to be in contention to face Brighton.

Full-back White has been out since November 10 following surgery on a troublesome knee and was expected to be out for several months.

But asked if White could return before the end of January, Arteta said: “It might be a possibility. The knee looks good.”