Mikel Arteta: Arsenal 'actively looking' for January signings amid injury crisis

The Gunners, who spent over 250 million pounds on eight new players in the summer, have been hit by a string of absences this season. Key players including Kai Havertz, Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, and Max Dowman have all spent time sidelined, while defensive injuries to Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, and Cristhian Mosquera have left Arteta with limited options at the back.

On Saturday, Arsenal managed a 2-1 win over Brighton despite fielding only four senior defenders, with Declan Rice filling in at right-back and Gabriel Magalhaes just returning from injury.

Arteta stressed the importance of squad depth, saying, "The window is there. We are Arsenal and we have to be looking at it â” what do we need? We have to be actively looking, and then whether we can do it or not, that's a different story. But our job is to always be very prepared because something can happen."

Arsenal currently list 25 first-team players on their website, though several are under-21s who do not count toward the Premier League squad limit, leaving room for reinforcements either on loan or permanent deals. Arteta added that assessing potential departures is largely the responsibility of sporting director Andrea Berta.

The Gunners sit two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after the Brighton win but face another test against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Arteta acknowledged Villa's strong form under Unai Emery, noting, "They fully deserve credit for what they are doing, but every opponent that comes here, we want them to suffer and be as dominant as we were against Brighton."

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