William Saliba breaks silence on his Arsenal future after Crystal Palace win. Nobody expected this from him!”

Mikel Arteta has revealed that Arsenal is looking into internal options to cover for Bukayo Saka’s absence, but the club is also open to making a move in the January transfer window if the right opportunity presents itself.

Speaking on Monday, Arteta confirmed that Saka will be sidelined for several weeks due to a hamstring injury, and that Arsenal will also be without winger Raheem Sterling, who is recovering from a knee issue.

Despite these challenges, Arteta stressed that his primary focus is on relying on the current squad to maintain competitiveness. He stated that there are several internal solutions to address the absences, but he acknowledged that the club would consider transfers if a suitable deal becomes available. “We have a lot of options within the squad,” Arteta remarked. “But if something exceptional comes up and the club is willing, we’ll need to evaluate it.”

Arsenal has a solid history of successful January transfers, having secured players like Jorginho and Leandro Trossard last year, and Martin Ødegaard on loan in 2021, positioning the club well to make strategic moves if necessary.

Arteta also addressed the recent departure of sporting director Edu, who played a key role in assembling Arsenal’s current squad. Jason Ayto has stepped in as interim sporting director, and Arteta expressed confidence that the club is ready to act swiftly if required. “The preparation is in place, and we are ready for any situation,” Arteta said. “We didn’t anticipate losing both Bukayo and Raheem at the same time. We were prepared for challenges, especially in defense, but we’re ready to adjust.”

Currently, Arteta is exploring various tactical adjustments to fill the void left by Saka. In Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace, Gabriel Martinelli played on the right wing. Other potential alternatives include Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard.

Arteta remains hopeful about finding solutions, stating, “I have some ideas, but I want to discuss them with the players. We need to approach this positively, as it will push us to evolve and try new things.” He also highlighted Arsenal’s ability to manage past injuries to key players like Ødegaard and several defenders. “We will keep finding solutions and tackle this with a positive mindset,” he concluded.