Mikel Arteta hints at Arsenal transfer activity before January window closes as Gunners boss reveals club has 'certain targets' in mind amid injury struggles

The Gunners boss has yet to strengthen his squad this winter but he has now claimed that he has "certain targets" in mind as the window approaches its end; clubs have until Thursday at 11pm to secure reinforcements. The Gunners have been linked with a number of new strikers, including Newcastle's Callum Wilson and Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee, while there are reports suggesting both Cedric Soares and Fabio Vieira could leave this month.

The Spaniard told reporters at a press conference: "At the moment, it is very difficult. We are really short. We have positions that we have been very exposed for the last six weeks and hopefully we are going to get players back. In what condition and when?

"That’s a question mark and as well because we have some long-term injuries still for certain players that give us a lot of versatility and that’s an issue. We have certain targets, ideas if things happen. As well, we don’t know how the squad is going to look in two weeks’ time and you have to be always prepared for that.

"But it is a very, very tricky market that shifts very quickly and it is quite unpredictable as well – and you have to be prepared. We will be prepared and we will try to make the right calls. If there is something that we can [do to] improve the squad and that needs appear, and we cannot fulfil it with players here, we are always going to be open to do that because we want to be stronger."

Arsenal have been dealing with multiple injury concerns across the pitch; Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Gabriel and Fabio Vieira are currently on the treatment table, while Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu are representing Egypt and Japan at the African Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup respectively.

The Gunners don't have long if they want to secure new additions this month, so they may be forced to rely on an opportunity presenting itself. Gunners fans will likely be waiting to see if their title challenge can be bolstered by new faces late on.