Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta took a moment away from the deadline day chaos to address the media before the Gunners host Chelsea.
Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates on Tuesday night in the decisive second-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The Gunners carry a 3-2 lead into the second leg, with a spot at Wembley for the first cup final of the season on the line.
While a London derby is on the horizon, the focus in Arsenal’s world is on transfer deadline day following the devastating injury to Mikel Merino.
Merino could miss the remainder of the season, which is a huge blow that has triggered Andrea Berta to assess Arsenal’s options on deadline day.
As Berta is hard at work, Mikel Arteta was unsurprisingly asked to comment on what is happening behind the scenes at the club right now.
“We are actively looking at options and we will continue to do that. If we find a solution, we will try to do it. If we don’t, we will continue in the manner that we are now.”
Arteta was extremely clear that the Gunners need a new player.
“When you lose a big player like this, you need to look. We need players because we play every two, three days.”
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Mikel Merino’s injury has come at the worst time
There’s never a good time for a player to get injured, but it has to be said that Merino’s injury has come at the worst time for both the midfielder and his club.
Merino is so important to Arsenal, just as he is for his national team, who are worried about the World Cup.
Spanish media outlets are reporting that Merino could miss the World Cup, which would be devastating.
Merino’s scoring form has been a revelation for both Luis de la Fuente and Arteta, making his lengthy absence a real nightmare.
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