Despite exceeding the expectations likely placed on them at the start of the season from outside of the Arsenal camp, Mikel Arteta still does need a few more players if he hopes to still be battling with Manchester City for the Premier League title in May.
Understandably, the Spaniard wants to keep his cards close to his chest regarding any potential moves the Gunners may be lining up for the upcoming January window, hence his quick answer when asked by football.london where he feels the squad is short.
"No," he replied. "This is a comment that I made the first day after the transfer window. It doesn’t mean it’s not good enough. It is short and we have used players like, for example, Marquinhos, who we had other plans but he has been an important player and a player who has the capacity.
READ MORE: Mykhaylo Mudryk to Arsenal transfer can address Mikel Arteta's key problem after two-goal issue
"We have had injuries as well. Mo has been out for three months, Thomas was out for a period and we had Alex out for a long time too. We have had to adapt and we are willing to do that. The demands are going to be really big for everybody and we have to be ready for that."
The injuries suffered in the midfield department, as mentioned by Arteta, all happening at once prompted panic within the club just hours before the close of the summer window. Three separate bids were sent to Aston Villa for Douglas Luiz but all three were rejected with the Brazilian then signing a new contract.
Luckily, Arsenal did not really feel the affects of the absence of Partey and Elneny and both are now back and fully fit, but Arteta is unlikely to want that fear again and a move for a midfielder in January is seemingly the priority.
football.london understands that the club may choose to revive their interest from the summer in Danilo with a formal move in January, while Leicester's Youri Tielemans could be a summer acquisition as he is set to be a free agent after letting his Foxes contract expire.
The rumours surrounding Mykhaylo Mudryk have also increased and while he is a target for Arsenal, football.london understands, despite some reports of a bid being made, that is unconfirmed at this time
However, signing these three players spread out over the January and summer window could be a huge statement of intent from a club and owners notorious for missing out on world class talent and not investing funds.
Eden Hazard, Luis Suarez and Thomas Lemar are just a few notable names the Gunners missed the boat on before they reached significant heights at other top European clubs, but Arsenal fans will be hoping this trend will be no longer.
The Telegraph report that Josh Kroenke is "more engaged and involved in Arsenal than ever before". Board members are also said to be excited by the project Arteta has put together that now seems to be on an upward trajectory.
This information is perhaps not that much of a surprise after Kroenke was spotted watching Arsenal's Europa League game with Zurich and then seen heading to the Arsenal dressing room following their huge London derby win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
With this new information, Edu is sure to outline certain players he thinks are needed at Arsenal and with Josh Kroenke now invested in what Arteta can do, it is far likelier the Gunners can get those trickier deals done.
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