Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal are actively looking to strengthen in the January transfer market while he played coy over players that have impressed him at the World Cup.
The Gunners secured the Dubai Super Cup on Tuesday evening after a brilliant free-kick from Martin Odegaard and deflected effort from Reiss Nelson sealed a 2-1 victory over AC Milan in the second of Arsenal’s winter training camp friendly matches.
Thomas Partey and Ben White were both named in the starting XI for the first time since returning from the World Cup in Qatar, with plenty more international players set to follow in the coming days.
One player who will not be returning to training any time soon, however, is Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian expected to be sidelined for up to three months with a knee injury.
There have been suggestions that Arsenal will look to bring in a new forward when the transfer market reopens in January, while they have been looking to sign a new winger and midfielder for some time.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk has been on their radar since the summer with members of the Ukrainian’s entourage believed to have met with as many as four Premier League clubs this month to discuss a potential move.
Now Arteta has confirmed that the table-topping Gunners do intend to strengthen their squad in January if the right players become available.
Asked about Arsenal’s plans in the transfer window following the win over AC Milan, Arteta replied: ‘We are looking and we are active in the possibilities. If we can find the players that will strengthen the team, we will try.’
The World Cup could offer some potential solutions, with Morocco’s holding midfielder Sofyan Ambrabat shining in Qatar while the likes of Goncalo Ramos and Cody Gakpo might provide the firepower Arsenal are lacking in the absence of Jesus.
Asked if any players had caught his eye at the World Cup, Arteta continued: ‘There are a few, and a few national teams as well.
‘A lot of things they are doing are very interesting and it shows where the game is going, where it is evolving, but as for players – I’ll keep that to myself!’
On when the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka will return to Arsenal, Arteta added: ‘That’ll take a few more days. Granit [Xhaka] is already here, and is training and willing to participate on the weekend, so we don’t have that many away now so that is a positive thing.’
MORE : Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale to return to Arsenal training this week
MORE : Mikel Arteta hails Ben White’s character and hits out at speculation over why Arsenal star left England’s World Cup squad
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