Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal are "actively looking" for January signings to bolster their injury-hit defence. The Premier League leaders have been hit hard by injuries during the festive period and Arteta admitted: "We're Arsenal and we have to be looking at it: 'OK, 'What do we need?'"
Since taking the reins at the Emirates, the Spanish boss has splashed out over £1bn, including nearly £250m last summer alone, in a bid to clinch Arsenal's first Premier League title since 2004. However, with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori joining Ben White on the treatment table, Declan Rice was forced into an unfamiliar right-back role against Brighton.
Ahead of tonight's (Tuesday) clash with title contenders Aston Villa, Arteta acknowledged: "We are aware of the situation and the timescale of certain players.
"When you look across the other clubs as well, they have 24, 25 squad players, and so there's nothing especially in our squad, the thing is that although we have more injuries than expected, some of them not avoidable I would say, but we want to be better and we know how important the part of having the right availability with players going to play in this season.
"Depending, as I said, on the availability of certain players, so the window is there. I mean, we're Arsenal and we have to be looking at it, OK, 'What do we need?' And we have to be actively looking, and then can we do it or not, that's a different story, but our job is to be always very prepared because something can happen, so hopefully very positive."
On potential departures, he added: "We assess every situation. I leave that much more to Andrea [Berta] to understand what's happening in the market and then, individual players. Obviously, we have to assess where we are with each of them and get the best situation."
Arsenal secured the signings of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have brought in defenders Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia and Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen on temporary deals, though they may look to add another loan signing in January as they pursue glory across four competitions.
Gabriel Magalhaes came off the substitutes' bench in the clash with Brighton, marking his first appearance since sustaining an adductor problem whilst on international duty with Brazil last month, whilst Arteta revealed that Kai Havertz is "quite close" to making his comeback from a knee complaint.