'There is no question' - Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal 'deserved to win' FA Cup tie against Liverpool despite poor finishing from Kai Havertz & Co as he dismisses potential transfer pursuit for new striker

An own goal from Jakub Kiwior in the 89th minute followed by Luis Diaz's stoppage time strike saw the Reds win the third round tie at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal enjoyed several clear chances to score earlier in the game but were unable to find the back of the net, with Kai Havertz missing one particularly glaring opportunity, and Arteta feels they should have got the win.

"Merit-wise, performance-wise, there is no question who deserved to win the game," Arteta told reporters.

He added: "It's very difficult but if the team is getting hammered and not deserving to win football matches, I would be much more worried."

Speaking to BBC Sport, the Spaniard said: "Well the performance was there and the amount of chances too. We just have to win the game, but we lost it and we are not capitalising. To win games we need to capitalise. When you are better than the best team in Europe and you generate that amount of chances...I have not seen a team do it against them like we have done it. It is not enough. The reality is, it is not enough. Listen [do I say] play worse than Liverpool, be worse and we will win the game. When my team plays with this confidence what can I do? I am still behind them 100%. "It is what it is and we have to continue to play the same way and be more efficient."

Arsenal were without striker Gabriel Jesus for the match in north London and their inability to convert any of their chances resulted in questions about possibly signing a new striker in the January transfer window, but Arteta was dismissive of the idea.

"What I ask the supporters is they stay behind the team," he said, and discussed the extent of Jesus' condition, adding: "Hopefully it's not anything big but we had a scan and we couldn't take a risk [by playing him]."

Pressed further on potential attacking additions in January by beIN Sports, Arteta added: "At the moment it doesn't look realistic. My job is to improve the players we have."

The Gunners have now lost three games in a row and won just one of their last seven in all competitions. Arteta will hope his team can turn their fortunes around when they meet Crystal Palace in the Premier League on January 20.