Arsenal ready to make January transfer to fill Danny Welbeck void, confirms Raul Sanllehi

Head of football Raul Sanllehi has indicated Arsenal are prepared to enter the January transfer window if a “very good opportunity” to replace Danny Welbeck presents itself.

After two operations on his broken ankle Welbeck is a doubt for much of the remainder of the season for Arsenal, who are yet to set a timescale on the England international’s absence.

Welbeck’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and it is believed Arsenal were preparing to replace him before the injury he suffered against Sporting in the Europa League. Cristian Pavon of Boca Juniors and Lille winger Nicolas Pepe are among the forward options the Gunners are keen on.

Unai Emery indicated that his first preference would be to hand further opportunities to Eddie Nketiah rather than make a further signing. However the 19-year-old is yet to play a senior minute under the Spaniard.

Although Sanllehi echoed Emery’s commitment to Nketiah he added Arsenal would be prepared to spend if the right option were to be available.

“That is absolutely something unplanned,” Sanllehi said of Welbeck's injury.

“Yes, that makes you consider things. I am not saying that's a green light to go to the market but we have good players in the house also that may get further opportunities, like Eddie Nketiah for example.

“We need to see. We are in November, so it's a good time to start analysing what options we have in the market. We are not closing the door but it's still not the preferred one.

“The plans were made in the summer. We are happy with how things are going. We are always going to strive to be the best team we can be.

“If there is a very good opportunity, we are definitely going to consider [it], we will see. Danny Welbeck's injury alters, in a way, the views.”

Arsenal had not previously been intending on making major investment in the January market, particularly as it is highly unlikely to be clear by then whether they will be benefitting from any additional windfall from qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in three years.