Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal WILL make transfers this month with central midfielder and striker topping list

MIKEL ARTETA has confirmed that he wants to bring in a new midfielder to Arsenal this month.

The Gunners have lost both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny to the African Cup of Nations this month.

Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey have departed for the African Cup of NationsCredit: Reuters

Mikel Arteta has confirmed he wants to sign a new midfielder this monthCredit: Getty

Despite that, they are still ready to sanction the departure of versatile Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Roma.

The Gunners academy graduate has struggled for regular playing time under Arteta and there is an agreement in place for him to join the Italian club on loan until the end of the season.

That has left Arsenal boss Arteta desperately short in the middle of the park.

They travel to Nottingham Forest next on Sunday in the FA Cup Third Round.

Speaking ahead of that trip earlier, Arteta remained tight-lipped on absences for the clash.

But he did reveal that there are ‘issues’ his side are dealing with.

And then he confirmed that he is in talks with Emirates chiefs to try and bring in some reinforcements.

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Arteta said: “We are going to move there and we are going to look for options because we are very short there.

“But this cannot be an argument only to keep a player and Ainsley came to me and explained the reasons why he thought the best thing for him and his career was to move away.

“He believed the opportunity to play and work under Jose Mourinho at Roma was really good for him.

“He is a player who has been developed and raised through the academy but he was very straight with me and we understood the situation.”

And it’s not only midfield that Arteta hopes to strengthen over the coming weeks to help bolster their top four bid.

Arsenal want to use Lucas Torreira as part of a swap deal for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

Serbian international Vlahovic, 21, has been identified as a potential long-term Emirates replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

The Gunners are looking to offload axed skipper Aubameyang and get his £350,000-a-week wages off the payroll.

And both Eddie Nketiah and Lacazette are also out of contract at the end of the season, which could leave Arteta short up front.

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal WILL make transfers this month with central midfielder and striker topping list

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