Arsenal are “actively” trying to bring in some attacking options this week after losing Gabriel Jesus and Bucayo Xhaka to injuries, manager Mikel Arteta has said.
Jesus suffered an ACL injury in Arsenal’s FA Cup tie with Manchester United this month, while Xhaka underwent surgery on a hamstring injury in December.
The pair have scored a combined 16 goals in all competitions this season and registered 15 assists.
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Signing players in January is rarely straightforward, but Arteta said the club are keen to make a move if they can ahead of their Premier League meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“We lost two very important players. We lack goals and options up front, that’s clear. If we can get the right player, that’s what we’re actively looking at,” Arteta said.
“No player? No. Someone who makes us better and has an impact on the team. For the period we have lost these players, we need help because we are short.
“The team is still dealing with that but we have to do what is right for the club.”
Asked if Arsenal would need to sell some players to make room for upcoming transfers, Arteta said: “It’s all about balance and depending on which player he is.
“Is he a player who will give us space or will he limit us again to a certain position? The rules are quite difficult. It’s not just what you bring and what you sell, it’s what resources you have after that.”
Arsenal, who dropped points in last week’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, are second in the Premier League table and trail Liverpool by six points, with the leaders having a game in hand.
The north London club will have the chance to at least maintain that gap when they travel to Wolves on Saturday, with their 17th-placed rivals having lost their last three league games, but Arteta urged caution.
“It will be a very difficult match tomorrow,” added the Spanish coach.
“They are a very good side so we will have to compete. They are at a different time now. Everything is important. You know I prefer not to talk about individuals, only about the collective quality they have.”
