Title-chasing Arsenal are unlikely to allow players to leave in the January transfer window as coach Mikel Arteta is worried over the depth of their squad as they push for the Premier League trophy this year.

Arsenal are currently in second place in the league, two points behind Liverpool but with a game in hand. They face West Ham United on Thursday night.
“At the moment, it’s very difficult (for anyone to leave in January), we are really short. We have positions where we’ve been exposed in the last few weeks,” Arteta said.

“Hopefully we get players back. In what condition and when, that’s a question mark and we have some long-term injuries to players who give us versatility, that’s an issue.”

Arteta says Arsenal could add to their 200 million pounds spend in the last transfer window if they find the right player in January.

“If there is something that can improve the squad, we’re always going to be open to do that,” he said.

“We have certain targets and ideas. We don’t know how the squad is going to look in two weeks’ time. We have to be always prepared for that. It’s a very tricky market that shifts very quickly and it’s quite unpredictable.”

Centre back Jurrien Timber and midfielder Fabio Vieira remain sidelined while Arteta confirmed that Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey are no closer to returns from injury.

“We’re not going to have those two. Then we have the suspension of Kai, so I think we’re going to have five players out, but we have lots of other players willing to play,” he said.