Arsenal AGM: Arsene Wenger confirms plans to sign a defender in January after revealing he missed out on one in summer transfer window

Wenger responded to fans' frustrations that they did not sign another defender in the summer with just three first-team defenders available this weekend

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he missed out on signing another defender in the summer, and revealed plans to strengthen the Arsenal squad in January given their current problems in defence that sees them left with just four fit first-team defenders.

Wenger did sign two players in the summer to alleviate concerns at the back in the shape of Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers, but they were direct replacements for Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen, who joined Manchester City and Barcelona respectively.

The Gunners were already deemed to be light in defence which was apparent last season as Sagna had to cover both the right-back and central positions, and it is something that has fallen on 19-year-old Chambers to perform this season.

With Debuchy a long-term absentee through injury and Laurent Koscielny picking up an ankle knock on international duty, Wenger has just Chambers, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs fit, meaning the Spaniard is likely to have to face Hull as a makeshift centre-back. To compound matters, Chambers is suspended for this weekend's clash against Hull after picking up five yellow cars in seven Premier League matches, so fellow teenager Hector Bellerin or Mathieu Flamini could fill in at right-back.

It’s because of this that Wenger confirmed in Thursday’s Annual General Meeting that he will look to sign another defender in the January transfer window.

“We bought good players, I believe we've done remarkably well in the transfer market,” said Wenger. “We wanted one more player, but couldn't. We will try to rectify that in January.

“We have a good core of young British players, who feel the value of our club. Slowly the modern game has lost that.

“So we need your [the fans] support again. I encourage you to be behind us. You are magnificent. And I'm sure we will come out this season more united and stronger.”

He added: “We won the FA Cup with a difficult run, but we managed to deliver the trophy and it makes us stronger, more confident and I believe we will have a strong season.”

Wenger has had to make do with four recognised defenders in training this week (Getty Images)

Reports emerged on Thursday morning that Arsenal were looking to rival Manchester United in the pursuit for Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, although Wenger did not confirm any targets that are on his radar.

The Gunners were linked with a deadline day move for Manchester City centre-back Matija Nastasic but a move failed to materialise. The Serbian has only played once this season – conveniently the 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal – and the 21-year-old could be on the lookout for a new club if first-team opportunities remain hard to come by when the transfer window reopens.