MIKEL ARTETA has revealed that Arsenal are “on it” when it comes to January recruits.
And the Gunners boss has hinted that Kieran Tierney could be sold to raise money after admitting the Scottish full-back is still unable to play in the system he prefers.
The north Londoners have been hampered by injuries in the early months of the season and currently have another defensive crisis to muddle through ahead of a busy festive period.
Before the Champions League match against Monaco tonight, players such as Gabriel, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey were missing from training.
Add to that the extended absences of Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu and Arteta without a recognized first-choice full-back with an upcoming Prem clash against Everton.
Arsenal have already deployed NINE different Prem combos at the back this season, with midfielder Partey often deployed as a makeshift right-back.
Asked about things in January, the Spanish boss said: “The window that gives us the opportunity to strengthen the team if we think it is necessary and we think we have the capacity to do so.
“We are working on it and just have to assess the situation because it changes every week. Not for the better right now, but I'm sure in a few weeks we'll be in a better place.”
Due to their dire situation, Arteta could be forced to make Tierney start in an Arsenal shirt for the first time since May 2023 – who has not played in Europe for the club since November 2022.
Tierney, 27, was signed from Celtic by former manager Unai Emery for around £25million in the summer of 2019 but has been swamped with injuries. Last season he was loaned to Real Sociedad.
Arteta may feel the need to show potential buyers that the Scotland international is ready to be sold – although it is unlikely they will be able to recoup the fee they paid for him five years ago.
More worryingly, despite playing under Arteta for almost half a decade, Tierney appears incapable of playing as an inverted wing-back at the level of rivals Timber and Zinchenko.
Arteta explained: “It's about the player having certain qualities. Is he willing to do it first? Does he want to do it, yes or no? The other: can he do it and does he understand it?
“If a player has these three ingredients, anything can happen. We see that with many other players.
“But if a player doesn't really fill it, that is more of a problem and we as coaches have to find solutions. I would play [Tierney] in situations he feels more comfortable with.”
So who could Arsenal bring in to strengthen their title charge? They are currently six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand and may need a spark to perform consistently.
The left wing is an area they need to strengthen with former target Ademola Lookman, 27, who is tearing it up for Atalanta, scoring 17 goals last season – including a hat-trick in the Europa League final – and has already scored 10 goals in 17 games this season after scoring in their 3-2 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.
He joined the Italians in August 2022 for an initial fee of around £12.5 million on a four-year contract, but he seems unlikely to leave next month even if the Gunners offer double what Atalanta paid for him.
Kai Havertz has scored just one goal in his last seven Prem appearances, with calls for the striker to be strengthened.
Arsenal have kept tabs on Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, but would likely have to let go before anyone comes in.
Gabriel Jesus has just one goal in all competitions this season, but Arteta has revealed that the club are currently NOT planning to sell the Brazilian they bought from Manchester City for £45 million in the summer of 2022.
Should the defensive problems continue, Arteta could be forced to add to his numbers. Versatile Ajax star Jorrel Hato, 18, was a long-term target but could cost between £25 and £30 million.
However, Arteta is also wary of overcrowding. Now that everyone is fit, he has EIGHT defenders, including Gabriel, White, Zinchenko, Timber, Calafiori, Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior and William Saliba.
Academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly is also a possibility as he is currently sidelined with a foot infection. The 18-year-old inverted wing-back has already made six appearances in all competitions this season.
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