Wenger Admits Arsenal Need Defensive & Striking Reinforcements In January

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he may have to dip into the January transfer market to bolster his defensive and attacking options.

The Gunners are currently down to the bare bones with all four first team full backs out through injury. Andre Santos, Carl Jenkinson and Bacary Sagna are all out with long term injuries, while Keiran Gibbs has also been sidelined for much of the first half of the season but is due to return within the next 7 days.

Johan Djourou has been drafted in as a make-shift right back but he too has now been sidelined for 3 weeks leaving Wenger short of options.

Up front is also a cause for concern with both Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh due to take part in the African Cup of Nations next month, leaving the French boss with only Robin van Persie and the the untested Ju Young Park to choose from in attack.

After Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Man City, when asked about possible recruits in January, Wenger admitted he is lacking in numbers at the back and up top:

“We hope to have Wilshere and Diaby back so in midfield we have the numbers required. But at the moment we are short at the back and if Gervinho and Chamakh go to the Africa Cup of Nations we are short up front more than midfield”