Arsenal weren't expecting a busy transfer market. The Gunners are genuinely not fans of the January window. Internally it is viewed as a reactive rather than proactive period where prices tend to be inflated.
You only need to look at the saga surrounding Mykhailo Mudryk two years ago to know that there is some merit to that view. But then again circumstances have a way of changing things.
Bukayo Saka's injury has left them short. The England international has either scored or assisted 49% of Arsenal's Premier League and Champions League goals this season and has had a hand in many more. He is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines though.
"It's not looking good he's going to be out for many weeks," Arteta confirmed on Monday. "I cannot be too specific because I don’t know, but it will be many weeks."
Saka has torn his right hamstring which is the third time he's injured that area of his body this season. football.london understands that Saka will do well to make it back before the end of January.
The blow is made even worse by the fact that Raheem Sterling - who was ostensibly signed as Saka's back up - is also out for some time. The 30-year-old limped out of training on Friday with a knee problem and is unlikely to be available for the foreseeable.
"He’s going to be out for weeks I believe," Arteta said. "He needs further testing tomorrow to understand the extent of his injury. We have to wait and see another 24 hours. Unfortunately he’s going to be out for a while."
The result leaves Arsenal desperately looking around for alternatives. Externally the pressure is there to bring someone in during the January transfer window. Arteta hasn't ruled this out, but in news that will frustrate many, his first choice will be to look within.
“Well, my focus honestly now is just about within the squad the resources we have to be as competitive as we possibly can," he said. "We have many, many options to do that. And if something unbelievable available and if the club is willing to do it, we'll have to consider it.
"The preparation is done and we are ready if something happens. 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."
With all the focus on incomings the idea of outgoings has been slightly overlooked. It was good a summer for Arsenal in that sense as they were able to make Arteta's squad much more lean with departures of the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah helping to raise funds.
Some players who don't appear to have much of a future at the club are still technically Arsenal players though. Albert Sambi Lokonga is currently on loan at Sevilla for the season in a deal that contains the option to buy for £10million with a 25% sell on clause. The Belgian has been a regular in Spain and it looks likely that deal will go through.
The same can be said for Nuno Tavares who is having a superb time at Lazio. The Portuguese defender has grabbed eight assists in 12 games already this season in Italy where he is on loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met.
Reiss Nelson's loan at Fulham is a dry loan meanwhile. The 25-year-old has reportedly expressed a desire to move on from Arsenal on a permanent basis after finding some form at Craven Cottage and could do so at the end of the season.
Kieran Tierney will also be leaving the club either in the summer or in January after Arsenal opted not to trigger an option to extend his deal. The Scot is still with Arteta's men and made his first start in over a year for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace. He is unable to fill the demands Arteta wants from his full backs though and will be looking for new suitors.
With all four likely to depart a significant amount will be off the wage bill at the Emirates Stadium. Such a shift could allow Arsenal to gamble and go big in January. Nico Williams has reportedly very high demands on that front, so any forthcoming exits could be key.