<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are prepared to dip into the transfer market in January if his squad remains as \u201cexposed\u201d as in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
The Gunners have fared better than some of their Premier League rivals in terms of injuries but are without five players for Thursday\u2019s London derby at home to West Ham.<\/p>\n
Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber, Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all still sidelined while Kai Havertz is banned having collected five yellow cards.<\/p>\n
Arsenal invested more than \u00a3200million on new recruits in the summer, including the \u00a3105million club-record signing of Declan Rice from the Hammers.<\/p>\n
The England midfielder was joined at the Emirates Stadium by Havertz and Timber as Arsenal spent big having missed out on the title despite being top for 248 days last season.<\/p>\n
With Arteta unsure of return dates for his injured quartet and the festive fixture schedule testing any squad in the division \u2014 the Spaniard confirmed Arsenal do have plans should they feel the need to act in January.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cAt the moment, it is very difficult. We are really short.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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?<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s 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\u2019s an issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have certain targets, ideas if things happen. As well, we don\u2019t know how the squad is going to look in two weeks\u2019 time and you have to be always prepared for that.<\/p>\n
\nThis time tomorrow \ud83d\udc4a pic.twitter.com\/pmQe0xiKwD<\/a><\/p>\n