Martin Keown claims Arsenal's loss to Liverpool 'highlights their shortcomings in front of goal' and says Mikel Arteta MUST buy a striker to compete as the Gunners 'could have been at the Emirates all night and still not have scored!'

Martin Keown says Arsenal are in desperate need of a striker after watching the Gunners struggle to score against Liverpool in the FA Cup third round on Sunday night.

The Gunners missed several chances to score and ultimately lost the match 2–0 after an own goal from Jakub Kiwior in the 80th minute and an injury time strike from Luis Diaz.

Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all fell short in a game where Mikel Arteta's side recorded an xG of 1.89 – meaning they have scored just one goal of 6.47xG in the last three matches.

Keown was particularly disappointed with Havertz's performance and said he was surprised by Arteta's decision to keep the Germany international on the pitch for so long, eventually replacing him with Emile Smith Rowe in the 88th minute.

Keown said Arsenal 'could have been at the Emirates until midnight and they still wouldn't have scored', highlighting the need to buy a striker in January.

The Gunners missed several chances to score against Liverpool on Sunday evening

Keown was particularly disappointed with Kai Havertz's performance in the FA Cup match

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Keown said after the match: 'If ever a game highlighted Arsenal's shortcomings in front of goal, that was it. The approach play was excellent, but I was surprised Kai Havertz wasn't sent off early.

He continued: “Arsenal had so many chances, this could have been a wonderful start for the Gunners. It felt like you could have been there until midnight and Arsenal wouldn't have scored.

“It's not just one player, it's a group of players. It is obvious to talk about the market. It was chance after chance. Liverpool only had two or three shots, but they were more in front of goal.'

Arsenal fans agreed with Keown. After the match they called for a new striker on social media. However, it seems unlikely that they will get one.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said it is 'unrealistic' to think they will sign a new striker in the January transfer window. Instead, he wants to focus on improving the players he has.

Speaking about Arsenal's need for a new striker, Arteta said: “At the moment it doesn't look realistic (that Arsenal will sign a striker in the January transfer window).”

He added: “What my job is, and what we have to do, is improve our players and try to get better results with the players we have.

'One is what we need, the other is what we can do. What we need to do now is stand behind those players, give them some love, train them and make sure they visualize something completely different than what is actually happening now. They did it. We're not going to reinvent the wheel, because they've already done it.”

Keown says Mikel Arteta (pictured right) should target a striker in the January transfer window

Arteta also said he is not worried, despite Arsenal suffering their third consecutive defeat on Sunday evening, losing 2-0 to Liverpool in the FA Cup.

“It's very difficult, but if the team is put under pressure and isn't playing well and doesn't deserve to win football matches, I would be much more concerned,” Arteta said.

'I'm worried because I like to win and we have to win many more games. Right now that's the thing we need to change and probably some reset as well.

'This break is good. It comes at a good time. We are also going to feel how we feel and how I feel about them in difficult moments.

'Hopefully I see that from other people too. If things go well, they jump on the bandwagon. Now things are tough, let's see where they stand.

“If my team plays with that courage and attitude against probably the best team in Europe at the moment in terms of momentum, what can I do but stay with them and support them.”

The Gunners fly to Dubai this week for a mini sun break ahead of their next match against Crystal Palace on January 20.