MIKEL ARTETA says Arsenal are ready to bring forward their summer transfer plans and get a deal done this month.
The Gunners are desperate for added firepower in this window following serious injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, 21, has been heavily linked with an Emirates switch for the past 12 months.
Sesko is expected to leave the German outfit this summer.
But Arsenal are weighing up whether to make a £70million move for the Slovenian now or land a short-term loan deal.
Boss Arteta said: “We have more necessity now because of what happened in the last few weeks.
“We never just plan a window. We have a plan, we look at the squad, how we are going to evolve it, what we have in the academy, how we are going to change and adapt.
“Either we are really bad at planning or nobody could see we would have that many injuries.
“We have lost two massive players in the front line and we need some support there.”
Saka had hamstring surgery before Christmas and is out until March, while Jesus could miss all of this year with an ACL injury.
Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic has admitted a January move is unlikely unless a huge offer comes in, with Leipzig battling for a Champions League spot.
Arteta added: “With every player, you have to understand the context.
“Which player do you bring? What are the expectations? How is this player going to fit in that door?”
Meanwhile, Manchester United are reportedly "hopeful" of winning the race for Viktor Gyokeres.
The Gunners have also been linked to Sporting Lisbon's Sweden hitman, 26, whose release clause is understood to be below £100m.
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homdilpstz
0
Please just fight for VG9 he far much better than BS
Jaimz22
0
Just get a damn striker Arteta.
Mescdknr
1
I think Arsenal my club is broke,, we don't have any money to sign anyone
Hobckmopuy
0
gyokeres not sesko
Stevenong
1
Arsenal has been eyeing 500 players all season. But will not sign anyone ! Fkg crap !
biccdemuz
0
We need the central midfield and the back of Saka
Jodikmopz
0
arsenal only stories the is no truth about all this
Zemabisyz
0
Arteta's love for G. Jesus and K. Havertz has blinded him not to see what natural strikers in other clubs are achieving.
Zemabisyz
0
It is good that Arsenal's 'false down' passed quickly while there is ample time for recruiting potential deputies for their injured players. In this situation Arteta & co. have to blame only themseves for missing on champions league spot come end of this season.
Fiuabceny
0
Guys what is going on
Arsenal is buying all the top strikers in the world, Goyekers, Sesko and Co.
Yohkwabs
1
The thing is, Arteta misplaced his priority by buying defender and midfielder last transfer window instead of a centre forward. Even without injury concerns on his squad, Arsenal are short compared to what Liverpool and Manchester City have in terms of attack. Maybe Arsenal haven't really planned, or projected, to win the EPL that's why we're witnessing what is happening. Unless we see Arsenal adding to their group attacker who can guarantee dozens of goals per season then we can't take Arsenal seriously.
Don4luv
1
Guys what is going on