Stop the crocks

Arsenal are threadbare at the back

- Neil McLeman

MIKEL ARTETA has revealed Arsenal are “actively looking" for January signings to ease the club's defensive injury crisis.

Declan Rice filled in as an emergency right-back against Brighton after Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori joined Ben White on the sidelines.

Arteta has spent more than £1billion since taking over at the Emirates Stadium - including close to £250million last summer ~ as they chase their first Premier League title since 2004.

And before hosting title rivals Aston Villa tonight, Arteta said: “We're aware of the situation and the timescale of certain players.

“Although we have more injuries than we'd expected, I would say some of them are unavoidable.