Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal are doing their all to sign a midfielder before the 7pm transfer deadline tonight following Mikel Merino's serious foot injury. It was claimed earlier on deadline day that the Gunners were trying to sign Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali but the Magpies insist they have received no contact from the north London outfit.
Arteta said when asked if Merino's injury affects their plans: "Of course. When you lose a big player in the squad, with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to do everything you possibly can to see if there is a player is available. If we don't, we keep what we have.
"We are always active in every window. We had the departure of Ethan [Nwaneri] to Marseille for the right reasons, and then the news of Mikel was very surprising.
"My day will be a bit busier than usual. For the team as well [it is a big blow], Mikel is a big player for us, a very important player for us. We're not going to have him until probably the end of the season.
"At this level, especially for four months, you have to bring a player that has the capacity to adapt immediately and impact the team. That's not easy. If it would be, we wouldn't be here. We need to find solutions and try."