Arsenal will be “active” during the January transfer window following the injury of striker Gabriel Jesus, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has said.
Jesus has scored five goals and registered six assists in the Premier League to help Arsenal lead the top flight ahead of the 2022 World Cup break.
But the 25-year-old picked up an injury while playing for Brazil at the tournament and has since undergone knee surgery.
“It’s definitely going to take time,” Arteta said of Jesus.
“He’s had surgery and that tells you the extent of the injury, so we’ll be on the market, still active and we’ll assess the biggest opportunities we have.
“We are going to be active and active means we are looking to strengthen the squad.
“This team still doesn’t have the luxury of not maximizing every window. We have to do that because it’s really important, but then we have to get the right profile.
“It has to be the right player to take us to the next level.”
Arsenal have a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League and return to the top flight with a game against West Ham on December 26.
Jesus, who joined the Gunners from City this summer, his participation in the World Cup ended after picking up an injury in Brazil’s 1-0 loss to Cameroon in their last group game.
“It’s obviously a blow with Gabriel Jesus and his injury,” added Arteta.
“We will miss him for a while. The season has challenges, it’s a challenge that we have to overcome, but if you want to be at the top, there will be those challenges.
“With Gabi, it’s difficult to give a deadline because it was a serious injury. Knowing him, I prefer not to give dates.”
