Arteta: “We’ve been talking about the January transfer window”

Mikel Arteta spoke about the January transfer window ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League fixture with Rapid Wien. While admitting that the club are talking about potential signings, with rumors circulating around Dominik Szoboszlai, Christian Eriksen, and a centre back, Arteta conceded that there would be some complications:

We are planning. We’ve been talking with Edu and the club about things we can do in January.

At the moment it’s pretty difficult and unpredictable. As well in terms of places [available in the squad], we are very restricted at the moment.

Arsenal, of course, have Mesut Özil and Sokratis left out of the Premier League and Europa League squad, while William Saliba is out of the Europa League squad. Arsenal would obviously have to move some players on before adding to the squad, or leave more first team players out, unless the club sinks more money into wasted wages—something the club may not financially be able to do.

It is clear that Arsenal’s squad is not Mikel Arteta’s ideal finished product. Yet the January window will also be illustrative of Arsenal’s overall transfer strategy. Do Arsenal go hunting for more short-term patches, or do they begin to set out a longer-term goal?