Mikel Arteta has responded to Arsenal's pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk during the January window.
The north London outfit have been heavily linked with a move for Mudryk in recent times and football.london understands that a move is edging closer to completion with talks between the two clubs now focusing on the structuring of the deal.
Potential add-ons may be decisive, but it is thought that negotiations are heading in the right direction. Now, Arteta has responded to a question regarding Arsenal's interest in the 22-year-old, refusing to speak on individual names before admitting that his squad is short at this moment in time.
READ MORE:What Mykhaylo Mudryk did after Arsenal send Shakhtar Donetsk third transfer offer
Speaking ahead of Sunday's North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, Arteta said: "You know we cannot talk about any other players. There are some interests in what we’d like to do to improve the team because we’re short in certain areas and with injuries that picked. We are trying and as a club We are trying to improve in every window."
When asked about the player's social media activity, the Spaniard added: "I will tell you how good I am with the phone."
The Gunners currently sit on top of the Premier League table, five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City and 11 points clear of local rivals Spurs. Even if Mudryk joins Arsenal before Sunday's clash, he will not be allowed to participate due to Premier League rules which state that any incoming signings must be registered before 12pm on the last working day, in this case, Friday, before the match.
Premier League regulations state: "Subject to the provisions of Rule V.1, the deadline for receipt by the Board of all duly completed documents required by these Rules to effect the registration of a Player shall be 12 noon on the last Working Day before the date of the first League Match in which the Club making the application intends him to play, save that the international transfer certificate and evidence of eligibility to take up employment in the United Kingdom (in both cases if applicable) may be provided thereafter (but must be provided before the Player is eligible to play for a Club in a League Match)."
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