MIKEL ARTETA is open to spending again in January after Arsenal’s injury woes.
The Gunners are five points clear at the top of the table despite having had to battle injuries to key players all season.
Arsenal spent almost £250million last summer in a bid to finally get over the line in a title race and have coped with significant injuries to Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes and a host of other first team stars.
The Gunners face travelling to Aston Villa this weekend with just one specialist centre-back, Piero Hincapie.
Arteta has not confirmed whether William Saliba is fit to return from a knock while Cristhian Mosquera sustained an ankle injury against Brentford.
While Arsenal are top of the table, Arteta has not ruled out further investment next month.
He said: “We always have to be prepared.
“The moment that we have an option to touch the squad, to improve the squad or to protect the squad, depending on what happens, I think we need to be open for it.
“From what is going to happen from here till the window is closed as well is football.
“So, we don’t know but we’re certainly going to be alert and we know where the risk can come in terms of the squad and be ready just in case we have to do something.”
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The Gunners haven’t won the Premier League since the Invincibles season but have come close under Mikel Arteta.
This season will be seen as a complete disaster if they cannot get over the line and bring the title back to the Emirates after enjoying a brilliant start to the campaign.
Arteta has been keen to play down their chances as he cautions against complacency, but surely this is the season.
They also sent out a message to other European clubs that they should be considered serious Champions League contenders with a big 3-1 win against Bayern Munich.
