Mikel Arteta gives huge Arsenal transfer Update as January Window Opens Soon

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opened the door to January transfer activity, signaling that the club remains proactive in scouting options to bolster their squad.

The Gunners lead the Premier League by two points over Manchester City following 18 games, but injuries have tested their resilience. Stars including Gabriel, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, and Martin Odegaard have all spent time on the sidelines this season.

Ongoing absences plague the backline too: Ben White nurses a hamstring injury, Cristhian Mosquera an ankle knock, and Kai Havertz has been out since the opener with a knee issue. Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori missed Saturday's narrow 2-1 triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion.

With Aston Villa lurking just three points behind

in third, Arteta addressed the media pre-match, highlighting squad depth as a priority. He explained that moves will depend on suitable targets emerging.

"The window is there, I mean, we're Arsenal and we have to be looking at it, OK, 'What do we need?'" the Spaniard remarked in the pre-match press conference of the Aston Villa match.

"And we have to be actively looking, and then if 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," he added.

Arsenal's summer splurge of nearly £250million ($337m) on eight arrivals trailed only Liverpool's £420m record, but their £245m net spend was the league's highest-boosted by low fees from permanent exits like Nuno Tavares, Marquinhos, and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

UEFA squad rules add another layer for Europe: With 23 senior players registered (capped at 24 due to only seven locally trained out of eight needed), they can add one more non-homegrown player. Teams get three changes allowed before Champions League knockouts and the Gunners may incorporate their new signings in that list.