Mikel Arteta is open to adding to his Arsenal squad (Picture: Arsenal.com)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has suggested the club could sign a defender next month following injury to Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The Japanese international could miss the next two months of action after sustaining a calf injury.
He joins the likes of Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey on the sidelines, leaving Arteta short at the back.
Timber suffered an ACL injury in September and is not expected to return to action until around March, and in any case he will be slowly reintroduced into the first team.
Arteta signed Leandro Trossard, Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior last January to boost his side’s title bid, and funds will be made available to him again next month.
Tomiyasu could miss two months of action (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
And the Spaniard has suggested he will use them if the right player becomes available.
‘Let’s see. We are going to have to adapt,’ said Arteta.
‘We have what we have right now. The January transfer window is coming up and we will have to assess where the squad is and the needs that we have.
‘But at the moment it is not something that we can change. We have to play all the games now throughout December in the best possible way and keep winning games.’
Asked about the return of Timber and Tomiyasu in 2024, Arteta said he needs a clear understanding of how much football the pair can play.
‘We have to consider every scenario,’ said Arteta.
‘We need to have clear timeframes for when those players will be back, in what condition and to play how many minutes. After we have done all that work we will make the best call for the team.’
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