Arteta shouldn't sign players for the sake of it, says former Gunner

The summer signings for

haven’t proved to be useful as they find themselves in a disastrous position in the Premier League’s table. Thomas Partey has been injured for most of the season so far and Willian didn’t show up much. Arsenal have finally let Ozil go and they have some extra cash to spend during the January transfer window.

With the Gunners being linked to players like

and

, Smith has urged

Arteta

to not sign players for the sake of it.

He has told Sky Sports: “

It's always the right thing to bring in new players but only if you can get the right players. Somebody who is going to suit what you are looking for, and importantly, who is good enough and who is the right character as well. Sometimes that is the hard part in judging whether they are right for the club.

“Can they handle a step up? For example, somebody like Emi Buendia at Norwich or Yves Bissouma at Brighton, can they handle the step up in expectation at a bigger club? Some people can, some can't, but you can never be certain until a player arrives.

“We know Arsenal haven't got much money, so they are going to have to be creative. They'd love to get three or four out of the club.

“Arteta is still moulding a squad in his image. He inherited these players and he's trying to get in the players he wants, but he's got one arm tied around his back with the lack of funds.”

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