Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta Reuters

Arsenal star Mikel Arteta has lamented the Gunners' failure to strengthen the squad with a striker during the last transfer window - but said the club will do their best with the resources available.

Manager Arsene Wenger were keen on adding a hitman on loan after Theo Walcott was ruled out through and injury until the end of the season. However the Gunners failed to sign key targets Alvaro Morata and Mirco Vucinic as Real Madrid and Juventus blocked their exits.

Arsenal currently only have two senior strikers available - Olivier Giroud, who has managed 12 goals this season, and Nicklas Bendtner, who rarely features in Wenger's plans.

Asked in an interview with TalkSport if Arsenal are going to regret not signing a forward Arteta said: "The club have tried to do their best but they couldn't sign anyone.

"They were looking for a specific profile and they did not find anyone. We have to conform with what we have."

Arsenal were also heavily linked with a move for German star Julian Draxler, especially after Aaron Ramsey's injury, but instead they settled for signing Spartak Moscow's Kim Kallstrom on deadline day.

Kallstrom unfortunately suffered a micro-fracture on his back while playing beach football and will not be available to play until late February or early March.

Meanwhile, the Gunners face a tough run of games crucial to their title credentials which includes the visit of Manchester United in mid-week, the Champions League last 16 tie against Bayern Munich and two games against Liverpool, one in the Premier League on Saturday and another in the FA Cup fifth round.

"Liverpool are playing really well at Anfield but we have two games against them in the next couple of weeks and we have to be ready", Arteta claimed.

Arteta was a doubt for the visit to Anfield after picking up a knock against Crystal Palace last weekend but reports suggest the Spaniard will be fit to play.