Unai Emery admits Arsenal January transfers are unlikely: 'It is not easy'

Unai Emery has admitted that Arsenal are unlikely to make significant moves during the January transfer window due to the difficult in attracting the quality of player required to improve the team.

Arsenal fell to a 3-2 Premier League defeat at Southampton on Sunday, with Hector Bellerin the latest defender to add to Emery's injury woes as the Gunners approach a busy festive fixture run.

Emery had said last week that he was targeting a centre-back to bolster his options at the back, but has warned that the Gunners will not splash the cash on signings who are not going to significantly improve his Arsenal squad.

Asked about potential January signings, Emery told reporters: "I don’t know now, because we don’t have a lot of possibility in January but if we can [we will find] someone to help us.

"But only if we think they are the player than can help us with good performance. January is not good for this reason, but we are going to look and the club is working for this in January.

"Our progress is also with young players and we need to give them more chances to play and show us their progress. But also for our big demands, we need a high level on the pitch and in the squad."

When pressed about whether money is available to make signings during the winter transfer window, Emery replied: "It is not easy, I don’t believe a lot in this transfer window because it is not a very big possibility with the players.

"The club is working only if some players can help us with a high level or better than [what we have]."