Mikel Arteta says ‘exposed’ Arsenal will explore moves in January transfer market - ‘We are really short’

Mikel Arteta has revealed that Arsenal plan to delve into the January transfer market after becoming “exposed” in certain positions.

After falling short of the Premier League title last season, the Spanish manager was able to bolster his relatively small squad in the summer.

But a handful of injuries and suspensions in recent weeks have impacted The Gunners’ options over the busy festive period, highlighting their need to add depth.

“At the moment, it is very difficult,” Arteta said in a press conference on Wednesday. “We are really short. We have positions that we have been very exposed for the last six weeks and hopefully we are going to get players back. In what condition and when?

“That’s a question mark and as well because we have some long-term injuries still for certain players that give us a lot of versatility and that’s an issue.”

Arteta will be without five first-team players for Thursday’s encounter with West Ham United as they look to return to the top of the Premier League table.

Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined, while versatile defender Jurrien Timber is still recovering from an ACL injury he sustained on the opening day of the season against Nottingham Forest, shortly after arriving in the summer from Ajax.

Kai Havertz, who has four goals from his last eight appearances in a resurgent run of form, will be suspended after accumulating his fifth yellow card of the season.

Arteta said that Arsenal have plans for the upcoming transfer window, which opens on Monday, January 1 2024.

“We have certain targets, ideas if things happen,” he said. “As well, we don’t know how the squad is going to look in two weeks’ time and you have to be always prepared for that.

“But it is a very, very tricky market that shifts very quickly and it is quite unpredictable as well - and you have to be prepared.

“We will be prepared and we will try to make the right calls. If there is something that we can (do to) improve the squad and that needs appear, and we cannot fulfil it with players here, we are always going to be open to do that because we want to be stronger.”

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