The Gunners are in the market for attacking and defensive reinforcements this month, with Barcelona’s Denis Suarez their main target.
However, due to financial constraints, any players the north Londoners do sign this month will be on loan.
The fact Arsenal boss Unai Emery can only bring in players on a temporary basis this month is rather shocking given their recent outlays in January transfer windows.
Their lack of financial muscle this month is a great worry to Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge, who believes they need to bolster their squad in preparation for their long run in the Europa League and pursuit of a Champions League spot, which could go down to the final day of the season.
“I think you’ve answered it already,” Bridge said during an appearance on Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast when asked if Arsenal should sign cover for the injured Hector Bellerin. “They’ve already got the cover there.
“It doesn’t change anything at all. It’s slightly worrying that we’re talking about Arsenal in terms of loans only.
“They’ve got so much to play for this season. They’ve got a gruelling Europa League. The win against Chelsea has sort of given them [hope].
“It was all doom and gloom against West Ham, but now that win against Chelsea has galvanised them again. It was an impressive win as well.
“And Arsenal as well sometimes, as you know Laura, they just pull it out the bag. Like they did against Tottenham. They need to continue this.”
Emery is desperate to bring in new faces this month and made a public plea to the Arsenal board on Wednesday.
“The club continues to work on that,” Emery said of potential transfers on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s difficult, you know, but I am working with our players and I think we need – and we can – sign some players to help after our injuries like Rob Holding, like Welbeck, like Hector Bellerin.”
“The idea is, firstly, to find the quality and this quality can help us.
“We need, if he can come here, a winger for the right or left or some players also at centre-back.”
Arsenal will next be in action on Friday night, welcoming Manchester United to the Emirates in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Emery’s troops go into the match on the back of a 2-0 win over their London rivals Chelsea, which saw them reduce the gap between themselves and the fourth-placed Blues to three points.