Mikel Arteta suggested changing circumstances will affect Arsenal’s plans for the January transfer window, given mounting injuries and suspensions.

Going into the January window, Mikel Arteta already had Calum Chambers and Kieran Tierney out for the long term with injuries. A number of other Arsenal players joined them on the sidelines this week though.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang picked up a red card and a three-game suspension. Sead Kolasinac had a minor setback in his recovery from a thigh injury. Reiss Nelson pulled his hamstring in training. Sokratis Papastathopoulos fell ill. Far from ideal.

Arteta made reference to the build-up of absences in answer to a question about the January window.

“The circumstances are changing daily because we keep having more and more injuries and suspensions,” Arteta said. “We are there in the market.

“We are looking for options who can help us improve and give us more stability in certain areas but it’s still early to say anything.”

Raul Sanllehi previously told reporters in 2018 he ‘doesn’t believe’ in the winter window. The only exceptions were big injuries or ‘if something is really not working’. Arguably, both of those justifications apply this month.

There’s still little chance of Arsenal spending big this month. David Ornstein suggests they’re working on a few deals with loans, free transfers or small fees. Anything to ease the strain on the current squad would be welcome.