Arsene Wenger admits he would like to strengthen his Arsenal squad defensively before the end of the transfer window.
New
defensive signing Calum Chambers has made a positive impression in his
first appearances for his new club, but Wenger is wary of demanding too
much too soon from the £16m summer signing while Mikel Arteta sustained
an injury against Besiktas in midweek.
Wenger said: "At the
moment, we are not in an emergency case. We have the players we want but
we are open as well to any opportunity until the end of the transfer
window to strengthen our defensive department in quality and number.
"I share the assessment on Calum Chambers; he has done extremely well but I think as well in England you have to be a bit more patient.
"He has played three games
and I believe it is important for the development of the players that
he does not go too fast, not so much on the football front but
psychologically as well.
"Players need to cross hurdle after
hurdle stronger and it doesn't go too quick for them. For me that is
something that is very important in development.
"We have just Mikel Arteta who is for sure out for the Everton game.
Everybody else we have to check this morning, but we have no major
problem apart from Mikel.
"He had a scan yesterday afternoon. I
haven't got the result. I have a meeting to check about that. I don't
know how long he will be out for.
"We will be a bit short of course. If it is a long-term injury, that puts us in a position where we have to be creative."
Per
Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski have been on extended leave
since their World Cup success but they will be in contention this
weekend.
Wenger said: "I will check today and tomorrow to see if they are ready for selection this weekend.
"This
is the target that I set them to ensure that they were ready for
selection against Everton. Will I use the three? Certainly not, because
they lack competition but they might be included in the squad for
Saturday."
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