Club football may be on pause for the World Cup, but things are still busy for Arsenal. The Gunners players not out in Qatar begun their warm weather training camp in Dubai this week as they ramp up their preparations for the return of Premier League football on Boxing Day.
The major story around the club though is the injury to Gabriel Jesus who will miss at least the remainder of the World Cup with a knee injury. Reports have suggested that he could even be out for as long as three months though and it's not yet clear if this will impact Arsenal's January transfer plans as they look to strengthen their title charge.
With all that going on it felt like the perfect time for a Q and A session with football.london's chief Gunners correspondent Kaya Kaynak. Here we take a look back on the highlights from it.
READ MORE: Why Arsenal and England hero Bukayo Saka should win 2022 Fans' Footballer of the Year award
Q: Do you think Arteta will manage to sign Tielemans this January?? How about Leroy Sane or any other back up winger?? I believe we need 3 signings at least this coming window if we want to to maintain our league lead.
KK: I've seen reports suggesting that Tielemans may prefer a move to Spain and given that foreign teams can sign pre-contract agreements with him from January 1 that might be one to keep an eye on. Having said that don't rule out Arsenal going for him entirely. They have shown interest. Honestly though I can't see Tielemans starting for Arsenal right now given how set their midfield is and Arteta has said he will only sign players who raise the level
As for Sane, I'd be very surprised if we saw that happen. Yes, there is the Mikel Arteta link from their time at Manchester City, but with the wages he'd demand and the amount he'd cost it would be very expensive. It's also worth noting that Bayern Munich don't particularly want to sell Sane. He's been a regular starter for them and they would need a lot of convincing to let him go.
Q: How do you think Arteta will set his team up if Jesus isn't back to full fitness right away? He may not be getting too many goals, but the Brazilian looks fundamental to how the midfield and attack progress the ball into dangerous positions. I'm not sure Arteta has a like-for-like replacement, so will he chance their attack or look for somebody to step into that Jesus role?
KK: I think right now the plan would be to give Eddie Nketiah a run in the side up top. Mikel Arteta has had no problem trusting him in the past, and at the end of last season Eddie didn't let him down. For me the question is whether Arsenal need to sign some more support for Nketiah in January if Jesus' injury is long-term because there is no one really beyond him. Arsenal want to strengthen in the forward areas anyway, so perhaps a player who can play across the front line is what they'll go for in January.
Give Bukayo Saka your backing to win Fans' Footballer of the Year award!
READ NEXT:
Gabriel Jesus best and worst case injury scenario revealed with Arsenal set to make announcement
Full Arsenal squad revealed for Dubai training camp as Smith Rowe returns, 13 youngsters named
Virgil van Dijk hands Mikel Arteta £43.5m Arsenal transfer boost with brutal Man United dig
Arsenal news: Gabriel Jesus suffers major World Cup blow as 'lucrative' Bayern Munich offer made
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
