Arsene Wenger Talks January Buys, Eyes 'Top-Quality' Sanchez, Ozil Replacements

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal will be looking to reinforce their squad in the January transfer window and pledged to bring in "top-quality" replacements for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil if they leave.

According to the Mirror's Aaron Flanagan, the Gunners manager said: "We are out there and look to do some things, yes. But when? That is very difficult to say because it does not depend only on us." 

On Sanchez and Ozil, who are in the final six months of their deals at the Emirates Stadium, he said: 

"[It] will depend as well on the players out of contract in June. We have to take that and respond to it. We have not lost them yet, and [if we do] we will respond by bringing in players of top quality. We have not been contacted by anybody."

Per ESPN FC's Mattias Karen, Wenger believes Arsenal have a proven track record of replacing their best players:

One player the Gunners won't be targeting is Chelsea defender David Luiz, per James Olley of the Evening Standard:

Arsenal haven't strung consecutive Premier League wins together since November and find themselves fifth in the division, six points behind fourth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand against Chelsea.

Tottenham Hotspur are just one point behind, with a game in hand on the Gunners and two on the Reds.

Strengthening this month would provide a boost for Arsenal as they seek to avoid finishing outside of the UEFA Champions League places for the second year running, and it may be necessary to bring more bodies in to help cope with injuries, too.

Wenger gave an update on his squad's fitness ahead of Wednesday's clash with Chelsea: "At the moment our injury list is quite long. We lost [Sead] Kolasinac, [Laurent] Koscielny in the game [at West Brom]. The two who have a little chance. Ozil might have a test this morning. Koscielny is 30-70 available."

He added: "We have a squad that is equipped to deal with injuries—we've shown that in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup...but we cannot lose any more players now."

It's imperative Arsenal keep their top players fit for the remainder of the season, particularly amid the packed fixture list they face this winter.

Recruitment could also play a vital role, and it's encouraging Wenger is looking to do business, particularly if Sanchez or Ozil were to leave, but it will mean little if the club do not follow through on that.