Arsene Wenger reveals January arrivals at Arsenal are possible

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he could be tempted into the January sales if "an opportunity turns up".

The Gunners have turned their season around following seven wins from the last eight Barclays Premier League matches, to move back into contention for the top four.

Much of that success has been built on the 19 goals of prolific captain Robin van Persie.

With both Ivory Coast forward Gervinho and Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh both set to be away at the African Nations Cup early next year, Wenger accepts his back-up options will be stretched.

Arsenal have plenty of cash reserves should Wenger wish to strengthen the squad, and the Gunners boss will keep an eye out for any bargains.

"We lose players like Chamakh and Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations so hopefully, touch wood, we do not get any injuries to our strikers. But if an opportunity turns up in that department then we will buy," Wenger told a supporters' Q&A at the Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal manager, however, feels the current financial climate is "a bit special".

Wenger continued: "Economically the whole environment has changed and people suffer more. The clubs will suffer more financially and it's much more difficult.

"Maybe we will have some opportunities because we are in a good financial situation."

Although both South Korea captain Park Ju-young and Russian Andrey Arshavin also offer attacking options, Wenger may look to bring in more like-for-like cover, with FC Koln's Lukas Podolski one possibility if the price was right.

Elsewhere, Sochaux midfielder Kevin Anin is said to be on Wenger's radar, along with Anderlecht's Luca Biglia.

The 25-year-old's representative Enzo Montepaone told calciomercato.com: "Fiorentina's interest is real, but Arsenal also like him a lot.

"Italy has always been his dream and, as he holds an Italian passport, a move to Italy is very likely.

"It is, however, important to pay attention to Arsenal."

Wenger will again have to juggle his defence for Sunday's trip to league leaders Manchester City after Brazil left-back Andre Santos was yesterday ruled out for up to three months after needing surgery on his ankle.

PA