Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal will be 'actively looking' in January transfer window | OneFootball

Gunners have been one of Premier League’s biggest spenders in recent season

Looking: Mikel Arteta

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Mikel Arteta has insisted Arsenal must be "actively looking" at the January transfer window.

The Gunners spent more than £250million in the summer, bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze in their latest bid to win a first Premier League title in more than two decades.

Arsenal also strengthened significantly at the back, with the arrivals of Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera giving them impressive defensive options.

However, Ben White and Mosquera are currently on the sidelines, Gabriel is only just returning, and Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori both missed the win over Brighton on Saturday.

"Depending on the availability of certain players," Arteta said.

"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. 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."

Arsenal’s defence has been struck down by injury this season

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal have again had significant injury problems to contend with this season.

Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, Gabriel and Gyokeres are among the players to have had spells on the sidelines.

With the January window just a few days away from opening, Arteta suggested that the current injury situation would be a key determining factor in the club's business over the next month.

"We're going to be really, obviously, aware of the situation and the timescale of certain players," Arteta said.

"If going from the front line then to the back line, but that's the depth that you need. 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."