Mikel Arteta has ruled out any panic-buying from Arsenal despite Shkodran Mustafi becoming the latest player to join the club's ever-growing injury list.
The German defender was carried off on a stretcher during Arsenal's FA Cup fourth round win over Bournemouth on Monday.
Mustafi collided with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and is suspected to have suffered ankle ligament damage.
Arteta said: "We are assessing the injury but normally when a central defender has to come off it’s not good news.”
The Gunners already have Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney sidelined, while the transfer of Flamengo star Pablo Mari is still up in the air.
But Arteta claims the club will not spend needlessly to cover Mustafi's loss.
“We have a very clear intention of what we want to do in the transfer market with the resources we have," he added.
“If we can do a deal for Mari, fine. But Mustafi’s fitness won’t change anything.”
Rob Holding came on to replace Mustafi in the clash with Bournemouth, and the 24-year-old is now in line to start alongside Sokratis against Burnley on Sunday.
Arsenal chiefs are still hopeful of completing the transfer of Mari to help ease the defensive crisis, and talks remain ongoing between both clubs.
Flamengo have demanded an 'obligation to buy' clause be inserted into the initial loan deal after Arsenal changed the terms of the transfer.
The Brazilian side had agreed a £7.5million fee for the sale of Mari, but Arsenal have since claimed they are unable to afford the transfer at this time.
They instead wanted a loan with an option to buy, but Flamengo want guarantees Arsenal will not be able to send Mari back if he fails to cut it in England.
Meanwhile Arteta denied captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be going anywhere before Friday's deadline.
“I want Auba here, 100 percent," Arteta insisted.
“I am so happy with him and I can’t wait to have him available again after suspension.”
