Mikel Arteta Stresses Arsenal's Preparedness for January Transfers Amid Squad Challenges

Mikel Arteta Affirms Arsenal's Willingness to Act in Transfer Market as Needed as the Spanish boss prepared to strengthen his squad for their Premier League title charge 

In a recent statement, Mikel Arteta emphasized Arsenal's readiness to delve into the transfer market during January should the squad continue to face vulnerabilities, a situation highlighted in recent weeks.

 Despite navigating injuries more favorably than some Premier League counterparts, the Gunners find themselves without five key players for the upcoming London derby against West Ham on Thursday.

Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber, Fabio Vieira, and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined, while Kai Havertz faces suspension due to accumulating five yellow cards.

 The infusion of Havertz and Timber into the Emirates Stadium was part of Arsenal's significant investment after falling short of the title, despite holding the top position for 248 days last season.

While Declan Rice joined Arsenal for club record fee of 105m pounds from West Ham 

Addressing the current challenges, Arteta remarked, "At the moment, it is very difficult. 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."

He continued, "We have certain targets, ideas if things happen. 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 is quite unpredictable as well – and you have to be prepared. We will be prepared and we will try to make the right calls."

Arteta concluded with a commitment to strengthening the squad, stating, "If there is something that we can do to improve the squad and that needs appear, and we cannot fulfill it with players here, we are always going to be open to do that because we want to be stronger."