Arsene Wenger has dismissed speculation linking Arsenal with a move for Wayne Bridge in January.
The Gunners are suffering a shortage of fit full-backs, with Wenger expecting Kieran Gibbs to be missing for another month following surgery on a hernia problem, while Brazilian Andre Santos is expected to be unavailable until March.
Wenger has suggested he may be forced into a loan signing in January, but is yet to make an enquiry for any potential recruits, including the Manchester City defender, who does not appear to be a part of Roberto Mancini’s first team plans at the Etihad Stadium.
“I haven’t made any enquiry at all,” Wenger said in a press conference. “For the moment, there’s no Wayne Bridge on the table or anyone else.”
Arsenal have received some good news on the injury front on the right side of defence however, with Wenger indicating Bacary Sagna could be available again at the end of January.
He added: “He [Sagna] is a long way ahead of schedule.
“I saw him still limping a little bit so we have to be careful but physically he will be ready very quickly because he worked very hard in the gym.
“We think the end of January is a reasonable target for him.”
Arsenal are in action again on December 27 when they face Wolves at the Emirates Stadium, with the game having been moved from its scheduled Boxing Day date due to the proposed tube strikes in London.