Arsenal will be “alert” to potential transfer opportunities this month, manager Mikel Arteta says.
The Gunners are second in the Premier League with a potentially decisive series of games looming.
Arsenal will play Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday, before taking on Manchester United in the FA Cup and then league rivals Tottenham.
Arteta confirmed on Monday that teenager Ethan Nwaneri, who scored his second Premier League goal as Arsenal drew with Brighton on Saturday, would be out for “a few weeks” with a muscle injury, while Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling remain sidelined.
Kai Havertz is doubtful for the meeting against Newcastle, and while Arteta will not sanction a move for players who do not guarantee improvement, he is open to income in the January window.
When asked about signing players this month, he said: “That hasn't changed – again the focus is on our players.
“Whatever is on the market, we are very alert, but the priority is to work with the players we have at the moment. [the Newcastle game]which is a big night for us.
'It's not a yes, it's not a no!
We're not stopping pic.twitter.com/sKBq9fxAyQ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 6, 2025
“We have very high standards and we really only want to have players here who come from our academy, otherwise we have to sign players to really elevate and influence the team, otherwise bringing in bodies doesn't help us.”
One player linked with a move away from Arsenal is left-back Kieran Tierney, although Arteta said: “There is absolutely no news, Kieran is our player.”
Arsenal are five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, but Arteta is enjoying the campaign.
He said: “I love it. We are in all competitions; in most of them we are where we want to be.
“Obviously in a lot of circumstances in the league we are not where we want to be, which is top, I understand that.
“That willingness to be better every day, to try to be better and not look for excuses, because in everything you do, you look for excuses, you will find them.
“These are challenges, these are situations that we face, and we try to do our very best to overcome them and still be a really good team.”
Comments