Talk at Arsenal has now started about the window transfer window as it opens on 1 January but Mikel Arteta says plans the club have around new signings will not be held up by the departure of sporting director Edu.
The Gunners have been without a sporting director since he left in November.
“We have one, Jason Ayto is our interim sporting director,” Arteta said. “He has got the full capacity and support of the football club right now. He is doing really well with his team.
“The process is open, as you know. The club, with the support of all of us, will decide who is the best person to move us forward.”
Arsenal have been hit with injuries to key players at times this season but it does not seem as though the Gunners are going to be overly active in January.
“I never expect January to be super busy but we have to wait and see where we are. Some surprises can come,” Arteta said.
“We are prepared for that. Some opportunities too. We have to see. Hopefully the availability of the squad will be better in a few weeks. We have to wait and see.”
Meanwhile, the Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he is “so happy” that there has been a mural painted of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
Arsenal have become a force from set-pieces and have scored 23 goals from corners since the start of last season.
That has led to Jover becoming a fan favourite – and before the match against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday, a fan-painted mural was seen near the stadium.
“I didn’t know it. So happy, he fully deserves it,” Arteta said.
“The same as many other staff and coaches. It’s great that the attention is not just on the players or sometimes the manager, but that our supporters can think that way and someone can be so creative. It makes people feel valued and recognised.”