Mikel Arteta acknowledges the challenges of improving Arsenal in the January window

Arteta dismissed suggestions that he needs to bolster his forward options in the squad over the next month.

"Bringing in bodies doesn't help us all," said Arteta ahead of Sunday's FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United.

"It's just about somebody who can immediately impact our performance and can bring something that we don't have. To find that in this market is very difficult to achieve.

"The circumstances (can) change because we have certain injuries for some big players, so it's always a possibility but always it's about somebody that is really going to make us much better."

Arteta's comments after the defeat to Newcastle that the ball used in the League Cup was "tricky" and "flies different" to those used in the Premier League have been widely mocked.

However, the Spaniard said his explanation for Arsenal's missed chances against the Magpies was never meant as an excuse.

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"It's not an excuse, it's a reality," added Arteta. "Every pitch is different, the weather conditions are changing in football, that's the beauty of it.

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"That's it, we adapt to that, and I never use it as an excuse."

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)