Arsenal hold an interest in Bayern Munich\u2019s Matthijs de Ligt, a new report has revealed, with Mikel Arteta confirming the club are prepared to spend in the January\u00a0transfer\u00a0window.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Gunners have built on last season\u2019s progress to once again position themselves as genuine title contenders \u2013 they topped the table heading into Christmas before Liverpool\u2019s win over Burnley put them top of the pile on Boxing Day.<\/p>\n Thursday\u2019s clash with West Ham at the Emirates Stadium gives\u00a0Arsenal\u00a0the opportunity to grab top spot back, but Arteta is missing a number of players through either injury or suspension. Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all on the treatment table, while Kai Havertz is banned after picking up five yellow cards.<\/p>\n Bayern Munich centre-back De Ligt is a long-term defensive target,\u00a0The Athletic<\/em>\u00a0report, alongside Borussia Dortmund\u2019s Nico Schlotterbeck and Jeremie Frimpong, who\u00a090min<\/em>\u00a0previously revealed\u00a0have been scouted in the Bundesliga this season.<\/p>\n De Ligt isn\u2019t thought to be a viable target in January \u2013 he is just 17 months into a five-year deal at Bayern and cost the club upwards of \u00a360m when joining from Juventus \u2013 but there may be potential to negotiate in the future as the Dutchman isn\u2019t a regular starter in Bavaria because he\u2019s battling Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae for a place in Thomas Tuchel\u2019s side.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, Arteta admitted in his pre-match media duties that Arsenal will look to act in the window if they feel the right deal is available, hinting that injuries to versatile players \u2013 Timber and Tomiyasu can play anywhere across the back line \u2013 has hindered his side the most.<\/p>\n Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal will make a signing if they feel it\u2019s the right thing to do \/ Michael Regan\/GettyImages<\/p>\n \u201cAt the moment, it is very difficult. We are really short,\u201d Arteta admitted. \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. We 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 \u201cBut it is a very, very tricky market that shifts very quickly and it is quite unpredictable as well \u2013 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gunners spent more than \u00a3200m on new signings in the summer, forking out a club-record \u00a3105m on Declan Rice in addition to signing Timber and Havertz, in a bid to build on last season\u2019s runner-up finish in the\u00a0Premier League.<\/p>\n
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