Arsenal could be offered the chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani next month, but are yet to decide whether to go into the transfer market amid their winger injury crisis.
Mikel Arteta on Monday confirmed that star man Bukayo Saka is set to be sidelined for “many weeks” after tearing his hamstring in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
In a double blow, Raheem Sterling - signed on loan from Chelsea last summer to provide cover for Saka - is also out with a knee injury.
The Gunners were not expected to move for a wide player next month but the sudden loss of both Sterling and Saka could yet force a rethink.
“The preparation is done and we are ready if something happens,” said Arteta. “Obviously we didn’t predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem at the same time.
“We predicted more it would be something else, for example if something happened in the defensive line, but the job is done.
“Then, okay, if something has to happen, we will be open. But the main focus is now, how will we extract still a lot of potential that there is in this squad.”
Saka replacement? Arsenal could be offered PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani in January after injury blow
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Kolo Muani was rated as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards when signing for PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2023.
It was expected that the departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid would see the 26-year-old handed a more prominent role this season, but he has so far made just two starts across Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
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As a result, Arsenal are one of a number of clubs likely to be offered the chance to sign the France international on loan in January, though it remains to be seen whether the Gunners are interested.
Speaking on Monday, Arteta name-checked a number of players already in his squad as capable of stepping up in Saka’s absence, including Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and youngster Ethan Nwaneri.
“My focus honestly now is just about within the squad the resources we have to be as competitive as we possibly can,” said Arteta.
“We have many, many options to do that. And if something unbelievable [becomes] available and if the club is willing to do it, we'll have to consider it.”