Arsenal in 'big trouble' if Declan Rice injury confirmed - Expert

Arsenal will move to “the next level” if they can improve their strength in depth amid concerns over a growing injury crisis.

This is according to former Man United chief scout and former Sir Alex Ferguson number two Mick Brown, who exclusively told Football Insider that they will need to improve their backup options if they want to win the league.

Brown had previously told Football Insider that the Gunners will look to bring talent through the academy to supplement their team as seen with the likes of Ethan Nwaneri.

However, he has insisted they will also need to dip into the transfer market to resolve their issues with squad depth if they want to mount a serious challenge to Man City.

Arsenal have come close to pipping their rivals to the Premier League title in the last couple of years, but have fallen short of being able to match Pep Guardiola’s side.

This, Brown says, is largely due to their lack of quality strength in depth compared to the reigning champions, who have the ability to rotate without a dip in performances.

Mikel Arteta’s side, meanwhile, have struggled without both Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka despite their ability to grind out results.

This was underlined during their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, albeit with ten men after William Saliba’s red card, and the 1-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk in which they struggled to create chances.

Arsenal to enter transfer market for new signings amid ‘next level’ twist

Football Insider reported on 24 October that six of the Gunners’ first-team stars could be ruled out of the clash against Liverpool in a huge blow to their chances.

Brown, who spent over a decade at Man United during their most successful period and remains well-connected within the game, insisted that improving their strength in depth will be the key to turning them from title challengers into champions.

“You have to give them credit for how much they’ve managed to improve,” he told Football Insider.

“But these questions are always about levels and how you get to the next level.

“Arsenal have done well to get to where they are now as a challenger to Man City, but in order to make that challenge successful, they need to improve their depth.

“There have been questions about a striker, about Saka, about Trossard. What will they do if Declan Rice gets injured? They will be in big trouble.

“These types of questions will be asked by the scouting department as well.

“So they’ll definitely be looking for ways to improve that depth.

“They’ll be getting as many scouts’ reports as they feel they need to build up a dossier of players they think can improve their team.

“When you’re chasing Manchester City, you don’t have that sort of time. That’s what happens when you’re at the top of the league, the expectations are high.

“So they should be, and I’ve been told they will be, looking at all their options in the transfer market just in case something happens to another key player.“

In other news, Arsenal are plotting a move to sign Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

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