Mikel Arteta has ruled out re-signing Jack Wilshere despite admitting the departure of Ainsley Maitland-Niles leaves Arsenal ‘very short’ on numbers.
Wilshere, 30, who spent two decades at Arsenal, has been training with his former club after becoming a free agent in the summer.
But Arteta said on Friday: ‘I was very clear with the situation with Jack and the role that he was going to have being around here and we continue the same way.’
Mikel Arteta has ruled out a full-time Arsenal return for Jack Wilshere in the January window
That is despite Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ impending departure to Roma leaving Arteta short
The Spaniard was more coy over possible moves for Real Sociedad forward Alexander Isak and Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
But he said: ‘We have to maximise every window. We are alert. If it is the right player and we can afford it, we will discuss it. We are open.’
Arteta’s depleted squad travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the FA Cup. The extent of their Covid and injury issues will become clear on Saturday but the manager insisted: ‘We want to play.’
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Arsenal will wear a white kit against Forest as part of an initiative called ‘No More Red’ to combat youth knife crime in London. The kit will not go on sale, but will be given to community organisations.
Arteta insists the Gunners will be ‘alert’ if the right player becomes available this month
The Spaniard was more coy over possible moves for Alexander Isak (L) and Dusan Vlahovic (R)