Last week, the expectation was that Arsenal would be targeting a winger on the final day of the transfer window following Nicolas Pepe's loan departure. However, injuries to both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny have left the club little choice but to prioritise midfield as the clock ticks down.
Following the Gunners' win over Aston Villa, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Elneny, in particular, will be out for a while. Injuries are never ideal but they come at a time when Arsenal find themselves heading into a busy fixture schedule, with five games to play over the next 18 days.
"Obviously, it has an impact (on transfers) because Thomas is injured as well, and we're a bit short in that position," Arteta said. "We have players like Sambi, we have players like Granit who can play there. The club has been super supportive to keep improving the squad and the team as we can, and if the right player is available and we can do it we will try."
