Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirms the club is actively seeking a replacement for the injured Mikel Merino before the transfer deadline.
ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta says the club is “actively looking” for a replacement for the injured Mikel Merino before the transfer window closes.
Merino could miss the rest of the season after fracturing his right foot, an injury that requires surgery.
Arteta stressed the significance of losing the Spain international as Arsenal compete on four fronts.
READ MORE: Arsenal crush Leeds to extend Premier League lead
The Arsenal boss hopes the club can secure a new signing before Monday’s 1900 GMT deadline.
“We are actively looking at options and we will continue to do that,” Arteta told reporters.
“When you lose a big player like this with four months to go, and all the competitions to play for, you need to look and we need to do everything we possibly can to see if a player is available.”
The loss of Merino has been tempered by the return to fitness of Germany forward Kai Havertz.
Arteta also revealed an injury that kept England winger Bukayo Saka out of Saturday’s 4-0 win over Leeds is only minor.
“Today, he (Saka) was better. Let’s see how he responds. It doesn’t look like something too serious,” Arteta added ahead of Tuesday’s League Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea.
Arsenal remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple this season.
Arteta’s side hold a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League and have progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League.
They also face third-tier Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round.
Arteta is focused on reaching the League Cup final as his side’s first opportunity to end a six-year trophy drought.
Arsenal hold a 3-2 lead over Chelsea ahead of the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
“The next one is always the most important one. And it is the closest, at least, to reach a final,” said Arteta.
“We really need to create the atmosphere, the energy, the belief that we’re going to do it.” – AFP
