Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that the club will be alert in the January window for players who can improve the squad. He hinted that the club will sign a replacement for any player who gets injured.
Speaking to the media ahead of their Premier League clash against Aston Villa, Arteta was quizzed on whether the club were planning to make any signings in the January window. He said that they are open to it, but will only making a move if needed and said (via Football Transfers):
“We always have to be prepared. We need to be open for it. From what is going to happen from here till the window is closed as well is football. So, we don't know but we're certainly going to be alert and we know where the risk can come in terms of the squad and be ready just in case we have to do something.”
Talking about the squad he has built at the club, Arteta said that he was proud of the players at his disposal, adding that injuries are the only reason he thinks about the transfer window. He said:
“We've built a squad that I believe was the best one to give us the possibility to do win the Premier League and Champions League. Is it what I want it to be? No."
"Because of the injuries that we have, to have a squad means that the players have to be fit and available because that has a lot of consequences, not only during matches but also in the way that we prepare for the week and the options that we have to change and keep the presence in the team. But that's something I'm very happy with how we've dealt with certain situations.”
Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League and UEFA Champions League tables this season. They have lost just once in all competitions, a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Arsenal not thinking of selling players in January, says Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that the club are not thinking of selling players amid rumors of Gabriel Jesus looking to leave. He said that all the players in his squad have important roles to play this season and said:
"At the moment, we know that the squad we have, we are fulfilling it with the players that are fit. So, at the moment, it's very clear that there's no option to sell players."
Arsenal are trophyless in the last five seasons under Mikel Arteta, who won the FA Cup just months after taking over from Unai Emery.