Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal transfer admission after Bukayo Saka & Raheem Sterling injuries | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted the Gunners may be forced to turn to the transfer market after Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling both picked up injuries.

Saka limped off during the recent win over Crystal Palace with a hamstring issue which Arteta predicted would keep him out of action for "many weeks", before backup Raheem Sterling went down in training with a knee problem.

That leaves Arsenal with no natural right wingers as they head into a hectic festive period, and Arteta admitted a new signing may be required.

"If something unbelievable is available and if the club is willing to do it, we'll have to consider it," Arteta said. "The preparation is done and we are ready if something happens.

"We didn't predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem at the same time. We predicted more it would be something else: for example, the defensive line. We started the season with one of the thinnest squads in the Premier League - we knew that."

Saka is facing an extended spell on the sidelines / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Arteta did, however, stress that the Arsenal squad is full of players who have experience filling in on the right side of attack.

"[Gabriel Martinelli], that's the first one we went through, especially because he's played there before," Arteta explained. "He played the last match there against Everton and the last match of the season. He did really well. He did really well the other day, he scored a goal and created an assist and is a good option to have.

"Gabby [Jesus] has played there. Ethan [Nwaneri] has played there, Leo [Trossard] can play there in relation to how that unit moves. Kai [Havertz] can play there, asking him different things.

"We will see, try different things and ask how they feel about it."