Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has underlined the need for January reinforcements after his rotated team crashed out of the Carabao Cup last night.
The Gunners lost 3-1 to Brighton at Emirates Stadium in the third round, with Eddie Nketiah’s opener cancelled out by goals from Danny Welbeck, Kaoru Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey.
Arteta made 10 changes from the side that won at Chelsea last Sunday, but those who came in failed to impress.
Arsenal are ready to back Arteta in the January transfer window, with a winger the Spaniard’s top target, and he has reiterated the need to bolster his squad.
“We know where we are,” said Arteta. “We know as well the moment that we had certain injuries, that the squad is already very, very short, and we have tried to manage that in the best possible situation. But it’s the same when we win a football match, so no excuses.
“That’s the squad that we have and we have to use and utilise the squad in the best possible way. Today, we came up short, especially because we didn’t do what we have to do in both boxes to win a football match, and we paid the price.
“It’s the same squad as when we win. I always said from day one that we have a shorter squad because at the end we left some players, and as well if everyone is available and everyone can play the minutes, we are okay, but at the moment we have some injuries.
“We know what it is, but it’s nothing new. I said it the first day after the transfer window. I will have to discuss the options that we have, the capacity that we have to make those changes and be in the market for any opportunity. We don’t know what is going to happen - all of our options are open.”
Arsenal will quickly turn their attention to Wolves on Saturday as they look to head into the World Cup break sitting top of the Premier League.
The Gunners are currently two points clear of Manchester City and will stay ahead of the reigning champions if they match their result this weekend, with Pep Guardiola’s side hosting Brentford on Saturday lunchtime.
“Sometimes in football you don’t always get what you deserve, and today I think it is the case,” Arteta added. “But we are out and we are sorry for that because we wanted a very different result, but now we have a big one coming up on Saturday.”
