Arteta urges Arsenal to be 'more efficient' and plays down move for striker

Mikel Arteta has insisted his Arsenal side must be "more efficient" after they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup third round.

The Gunners have now lost three matches in a row following damaging defeats to West Ham and Fulham in the Premier League.

But Arteta remained positive about his team's performance against Liverpool, despite the fact they were unable to convert any of their 17 shots into a goal.

The Arsenal boss told the BBC: "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's recent wastefulness in front of goal has resulted in calls to bring in a striker during this month's transfer window, although Arteta suggested that may not be possible.

He told beIN Sports: "At the moment it [signing a striker] doesn't look realistic. 

"My job is to improve the players we have."

Arsenal are next in action at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on January 20 — and they will be eager to arrest a worrying dip in form.