Gilberto Silva believes Arsenal’s January transfer plan will hinge on their current injuries, and whether players can get fit in time.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Gilberto Silva addresses the media at a 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup media opportunity at Blues Point Reserve on March 17, 2017. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Gilberto Silva addresses the media at a 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup media opportunity at Blues Point Reserve on March 17, 2017. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Earlier this week, Takehiro Tomiyasu was confirmed as the latest Arsenal player to pick up a long-term injury, with the defender set to be out for around a month.

Tomiyasu joins Fabio Vieira, Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, and Jurrien Timber on the injury list, with Mohamed Elneny also set to go away for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Daily Cannon spoke to Gilberto Silva this week, and the Brazilian midfielder admitted Arsenal will have to make signings if their injured players don’t return on time.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Fabio Vieira of Arsenal leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on November 11, 2023. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Fabio Vieira of Arsenal leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on November 11, 2023. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

“Elneny has spent a long time injured, it was tough for him, but he’s back,” Gilberto began. “I hope Vieira returns soon, I don’t know the length of his injury but I hope he returns, and Partey as well.

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“When you have so many players in more or less the same position with injuries, it’s very tough for the manager. He needs to sometimes improvise some players in that position.

“We have seen a few times Zinchenko play there as a central midfielder or a number eight, because he’s got the quality for that.

“It’s tough for the manager to manage this problem. I hope that he doesn’t need to worry so much (by January).

“But if he needs to sign somebody, he has to, if the players don’t come back on time.”

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal warms up prior to the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal warms up prior to the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal have been linked with a few different midfielders over the last few months, from Ruben Neves to Martin Zubimendi and Douglas Luiz.

But for the time being, all the reliable reports have played down the chances of any of those moves. We’ll have to wait and see if things change over the coming weeks.

Former professional footballer Gilberto Silva is the newest ambassador for suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). CALM stands united against suicide and as part of his signing, Silva will help raise awareness of rising suicide rates in the UK, which sees 125 lives lost to suicide each week.

1 in 5 people in the UK will experience suicidal thoughts and CALM is there every day to help anyone who’s struggling see that things can change.

To find out more about CALM, services or for support or advice, visit thecalmzone.net.

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