Mikel Arteta has declared Arsenal ready to move in the January transfer window if the right player becomes available, saying: “When there is an opportunity, you have to act”.
It has been expected that Arsenal will have a quiet winter window this year, in part because they sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal’s business so far has just consisted of sending 19-year-old academy midfielder Louie Copley on loan to League Two strugglers Crawley for the remainder of the season.
However, Arteta has insisted the Gunners are open to opportunities if the right ones arise.
The Arsenal boss was specifically asked how much time goes into checking the character and personality of players who the club wish to sign.
“The ideal scenario is that we spend all the time necessary to nail the process and to understand exactly how we envisage this player joining our club, the team and the relationship we want to build up,” Arteta said.
“The reality is: sometimes when there is an opportunity, you have to act. But we have to try and be prepared and I think, in general, we make very good choices and get top characters and personalities.”
Arteta was then asked whether in recent years there have ever been cases of good players being offered to Arsenal but the club turning the move down on the grounds of the individual’s personality or a fear they may not be a good cultural fit.
“I think you put everything in balance,” Arteta explained. “I don’t think it is just a case of being a bad person.
“It is, ‘can he deal with that role?’ - and the consequences to that. We have to know if he can fill the role and deal with all the characters we have. It is a decision which has to be balanced.”
