Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal have 'certain targets' in mind for January but issues tricky market warning

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given an update on the status of his squad as the January transfer window looms. While he confirmed that the Gunners are looking to do business next month, he also stressed that the number of injuries within his team is making things 'very difficult' - some of which he said are 'long-term'.

Additionally, he also hammered home the point that Arsenal will need to go about their dealings carefully and will need to make the 'right calls'. He mentioned the unpredictability of the transfer market and made the point that they must be 'prepared' for their plans to potentially go awry.

What did Mikel Arteta say about the state of Arsenal's squad?

Speaking in a recent press conference, Arteta said: "At the moment, it is very difficult [with squad selection]. We are really short. We have positions that we have been very exposed for the last six weeks and hopefully we are going to get players back. In what condition and when?

"That’s a question mark and as well because we have some long-term injuries still for certain players that give us a lot of versatility and that’s an issue. We have certain targets, ideas if things happen. As well, we don’t know how the squad is going to look in two weeks’ time and you have to be always prepared for that.

"But it is a very, very tricky market that shifts very quickly and it is quite unpredictable as well – and you have to be prepared. We will be prepared and we will try to make the right calls. If there is something that we can [do to] improve the squad and that needs appear, and we cannot fulfil it with players here, we are always going to be open to do that because we want to be stronger."