Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta his too scared of signing a genuine No.9 and his bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins was nothing more than a PR stunt to appease supporters, so claims Troy Deeney.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commented on the performance of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak following a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park last night. The Gunners were trailing 2-0 after the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium and they had a huge challenge to overturn the deficit.

Arteta was thankful for his namesake, Mikel Merino, as the emergency striker delivered the goods late on for Arsenal.