Transfers Arsenal Mulling Move For Southampton Man

William Saliba and Sead Kolasinac have been moved out on loan deals to Nice and Schalke respectively.

Arteta confirmed ahead of Saturday's trip to Southampton in the FA Cup, that the club were looking at adding a new left-back before the end of the window. "We have done the first part more or less and we are focusing now on the second phase", said Arteta.

"We are looking at various positions because the movement we have made in this window with some players leaving the club has left us a little bit short in certain areas".

Arteta recently hinted that the club could do with a natural option on the left side of the defence and it is reported that they are keeping tabs on Bertrand.

Both Ozil and Sokratis were omitted from Arsenal's Premier League and Europa League squads for the first half of the season.

Arteta, who refused to comment on speculation Arsenal are interested in Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard, admitted the window is hard as a result of the ongoing uncertainty created by COVID-19.

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"A player with such an importance that is not playing, that is not in the squad, it is a really hard situation to sustain for both parties because the player wants to play and we annot give him the minutes".

Asked if he would consider signing a left-back, Arteta responded: "That means that the option is open and we will look to see what is available".

Pressed specifically on Aouar, Lauren said: "Arteta knows the method and the idea of play they are looking to implement to lead Arsenal success so he is the one that has the right to answer that question".

Arsenal have cancelled the contract of defender Sokratis as they continue the streamlining of their squad in this January transfer window. "If we can then we will do it, if we can't then we will just keep going with what we have". "This is unmanageable. When you have to leave some of the foreign players out it makes it even more hard".

"To do it for a few weeks is OK, to do it for months and maintain the health, the ambition and the chemistry is really complicated".

"Working closely with Sokratis and his team, we have made a decision to cancel his contract by mutual consent", Arsenal said in a statement.