Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is open to signing a new left-back in this transfer window. Kieran Tierney has established himself as one of the Premier League's top left-sided defenders this season. However, there is no recognised back-up to the Scotland international in Arteta's squad.
Sead Kolasinac was allowed to leave the club on loan earlier in the window, rejoining Bundesliga club Schalke.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been used as a left-back for both club and country, and Cedric Soares can play on that side.
However, both of those players are naturally right-sided, which leaves Tierney as the only left-footed option, with Bukayo Saka more preferred in an attacking role this season.
Speaking at his press conference on Thursday morning, Arteta admitted he is short on numbers in that position.
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Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta is short on left-back options (Image: EXPRESS)
"We've done the first part (trimming the squad) more or less and now we are focusing on the second phase.
"Obviously this market and the context makes it really difficult but we are looking at options and we will see what we can do.
"We are looking at various positions because the movements that we've made in this transfer window with some players leaving the club leaves us a little bit short in certain areas.
If we can then we will do it, if we can't then we will just keep going with what we have."