Arsenal, the renowned Premier League club, are "actively looking" at potential signings during the upcoming January transfer window, according to manager Mikel Arteta. This move comes as a response to a series of injuries that have plagued the team in recent seasons. The Gunners had already spent approximately £250m in the summer and brought in eight new players. The aim was to bolster their squad's quality to handle an intense fixture list and compete for trophies across multiple competitions.
Last season saw Arsenal's campaign severely impacted by injuries. They were without defender Gabriel Magalhaes for the final part of the season and had to resort to playing midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker. Despite these setbacks, they managed an impressive second-place finish in the Premier League for a third successive season but were knocked out in the semi-finals of Champions League by Paris St-Germain.
This season has not been kind either with injuries continuing to be a significant concern. Key players such as Kai Havertz was lost from day one while captain Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Max Dowman have all had spells on sidelines due to various ailments.
Defensive line under pressure
Recently though it is not just attacking players who are feeling strain; Arsenal's backline is also suffering from injury woes. Arteta was forced into playing Declan Rice - typically not a right-back - against Brighton last Saturday because Jurrien Timber was injured and Riccardo Calafiori picked up an issue during warm-up.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, said:
"We're going to be really aware of the situation and the timescale of certain players. 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."
Gabriel made his return from injury during their 2-1 win over Brighton but there remains uncertainty around when Cristhian Mosquera, Timber and Calafiori will be fit enough for selection again. As Arsenal continues to grapple with these challenges, the January transfer window presents an opportunity for the club to bring in fresh talent and bolster their squad. This proactive approach could be crucial in ensuring they remain competitive throughout the season and beyond.
