Arsenal are struggling to make their mark in the current transfer window, and the latest reports suggest the north London club are unlikely to land a defensive reinforcement to cover for William Saliba before the deadline.

Saliba's recent back injury has thrown the club's defensive planning into disarray, making the search for a reliable backup more urgent than ever. Yet despite that pressing need, Arsenal appear no closer to securing a solution.

The Gunners have endured a difficult window overall, with several targets proving either too expensive or simply unavailable. The failure to bring in adequate cover for Saliba represents yet another setback in what has been a frustrating period for the club's recruitment team.

With Saliba's fitness timeline still unclear, manager Mikel Arteta could be forced to improvise at the back during a critical stretch of the season. The absence of the France international would represent a significant blow to Arsenal's defensive structure, given how central Saliba has been to their back line in recent campaigns.

The window is narrowing, and time is running out for Arsenal to address what is fast becoming one of their most pressing concerns heading into the remainder of the season.