Mikel Arteta will use every ounce of his tactical acumen to help Arsenal win the Premier League this season - but his shortcomings in the transfer market look set to cost the Gunners dearly

Pep Guardiola may well have provided the solution to Arsenal's striker crisis and if Mikel Arteta listened, he could yet have a major say in the Premier League title race

Moments before Merino was thrown on for the final 20 minutes at the King Power Stadium, he was collared by Arteta for some final instructions. It turned out to be a masterstroke. Merino’s two goals in the final 10 minutes secured a 2-0 win and, crucially, meant Arsenal kept pace with Liverpool in the title race.

Arsenal are expected to go big on a move for Benjamin Sesko in the summer after keeping their powder dry in January, but Manchester United also want the Slovenian striker

Mikel Arteta has overseen a stunning transformation at Arsenal since his arrival, but the Spaniard has also made several transfer decisions that are now haunting him

Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal would be ‘closer to Liverpool’ had if not been for an oversight from Mikel Arteta earlier in the season. Arsenal have work to do in the final few months of the season if they are to reel in runaway leaders Liverpool and clinch their first league title since 2004.

Mikel Arteta faces a big decision over three players who will be out of contract at Arsenal in less than 18 months.