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Arteta says Arsenal will now focus on trying to bring players in after sealing a number of departures

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said the club will now focus on trying to bring players in after sealing a number of departures.

The North London club has prioritised securing the departures of a number of their fringe players so far in the transfer window. Sokratis has left the club while Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba have secured loan moves to Schalke and Nice respectively. Mesut Ozil is on the verge of joining Fenerbahce on a three-and-a-half year deal. 

The Gunners will now begin focussing on adding to their squad if they are able to find agreements to land suitable targets. Regarding incomings, Arteta said:

“We are in that process right now. We’ve done the first part [selling players] more or less and now we are focusing on the second phase. Obviously this market and the context makes it really difficult but we are looking at options and we will see what we can do.”

This season, Arsenal have lacked creativity in the middle of the park and as a result have struggled to find the back of the net. More recently, Emile Smith-Rowe has been given an extended run in the side and this has coincided with positive results.

It is believed that the Gunners would like to sign another creative midfielder to compete with Smith-Rowe. On whether the club are looking to sign a creative midfielder, Arteta said:

“We are looking at various positions because the movements that we’ve made in this transfer window with some players leaving the club leaves us a little bit short in certain areas. If we can then we will do it, if we can’t then we will just keep going with what we have.”

On the club’s rumoured interest in Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard, he said:

“Sorry, guys, but I cannot comment on players who play for different clubs.”

With Kolasinac leaving the club on loan earlier this month, Arsenal’s only left-footed full back is Kieran Tierney. As a result, a back-up left back could well be a target in the January transfer window. On signing a new left-back, Arteta said:

“With the departure of Kola, we are a little bit short with left-footed full-backs at the moment. We know we can use Ainsley there, we can use Bukayo there and we can use Cedric – who has played in that position – so we have some options. A natural option to Kieran? Obviously, we don’t. But we can adapt. That means that the option is open and we will look to see what is available.”

Arteta admitted that the January transfer window is a challenging time to do business. He said:

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