LONDON, August 21-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hinted that the club might go into the market for a midfielder following the injury to Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard picked up an ankle injury in the first leg of the Champions League qualifiers against Besiktas on Tuesday and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Gunners have been linked with a host of midfielders during the current transfer window, including Sami Khedira, William Carvalho and Adrien Rabiot, but have yet to make any concrete moves in the market.
However, the injury to Arteta may force Wenger’s hand and the Frenchman admitted that he would not be against making midfield signings.
“If it’s a long-term injury [for Arteta] that puts us in a position where we have to be creative,” the Frenchman has been quoted as saying by FourFourTwo.
“We are not in an emergency case but we are open to any opportunity to strengthen our defensive department.”
When asked specifically about the chances of adding a defensive midfielder, Wenger added: “We are not against that, no.”
Galatasaray, meanwhile, have been linked with a sensational move for both Lukas Podolski and Joel Campbell before the transfer window slams shut, but Wenger says Arsenal have yet to receive any bids.
“We have had no offers for anyone to leave,” he continued.
“Joel Campbell has not had his chance yet but he will get it. We have young players, that means every year they can get better.”