Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal will be active in January transfer window

The Spaniard has overseen a major overhaul of the London Colney ranks since being named as Unai Emery's successor in 2019, and the Gunners spent big again over the summer.

Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko arrived in big-money moves from Manchester City, and the pair have already become integral members of Arsenal's first XI.

Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos also commanded transfer fees to join the North London club, and Arsenal's summer outlay has been paying off for the club so far.

Arteta's men sit two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table and will travel to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday - their final game before the World Cup break.

Should Arsenal claim all three points against Wolves, they will be guaranteed top spot in the table on Christmas Day, and speculation surrounding January signings is hotting up.

The Gunners were inactive during the most recent winter window, only bringing in USA defender Auston Trusty, but Arteta has affirmed that his side will look to improve their squad if the right opportunity presents itself.

Speaking to reporters in Friday's press conference, Arteta said: "I said from day one, the demands of the competition that we are involved in are huge, but we have competed in a really impressive way up until now with the numbers that we have.

"Of course we can improve the team, we will always be looking to do that as a club. I don't know [if we will be busy in January], this window is so unpredictable.

"Especially with the World Cup in the middle. We will have a look, we will try to get the squad stronger and we will be active because you don't know what's going to happen in that World Cup, but touch wood they will all be OK."

Arsenal have as many as 10 players who have already been called up to their countries for the World Cup, most notably Ben White, who will be a part of Gareth Southgate's 26-man England squad.

The 25-year-old has forced his way into the Three Lions ranks after being snubbed for September's Nations League games, and Arteta is delighted to see his stellar form result in a call-up.

"He was very happy. The rest of the staff and players were so happy for him. All the credit is down to him and what he's done," Arteta added.

"When you look at his career and how far he's come in a very short space of time it says everything about him — the player and the person. Being a versatile player is rare in this world and I think he's got the capacity to fulfil that."

Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Turner and William Saliba will also be representing their countries, but Gabriel Magalhaes and Albert Sambi Lokonga missed out on selection for Brazil and Belgium respectively.