Arsenal in midfielder search to replace Merino

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he is “actively looking at options” to replace Mikel Merino before the transfer deadline.

Versatile midfielder Merino is set to miss the rest of the season with a broken foot, with the Gunners linked to an ambitious move for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.

That looks unlikely but Arsenal do want to get a replacement in before the 7pm deadline if they can.

Arteta said: “We are actively looking at options and we will continue to do that.

“When you lose a big player like this with four months to go, and all the competitions to play for, you need to look and we need to do everything we possibly can to see if a player is available, and if not, we keep what we have.

“You need a player that has the capacity to adapt immediately and impact the team and that is not easy, but if it was easy we wouldn’t be here, so we need to find solutions and try.

“Yes, we have more depth now (than last season) but for seven months we have not because we have had players out. We know the demands and we need players because we play every two to three days.

“I wouldn’t say I am relaxed. We are on it. It is our responsibility.

“When we are playing for what we are playing for, we need to give ourselves the best opportunity and chance to look at the market, every option, evaluate them, and then make a decision if we can do something, if it is possible.”

Arsenal face Chelsea in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final on Tuesday.