Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club are actively seeking a new defender following William Saliba’s long-term injury and a shortage of options in the backline.

Arteta disclosed this on Thursday while speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on Friday.

He said the club were already active in the transfer market as they seek to strengthen the squad before the window closes.

“We are really active in the market,” Arteta said, noting that Saliba’s injury had created a specific problem in the defensive area.

He said Arsenal would announce a new signing once an agreement was reached, although he acknowledged that completing a transfer depended on factors beyond the club’s control.

Arteta also confirmed that Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were available for the opening fixture.

However, Jurriën Timber has yet to return to full team training and is expected to remain sidelined for the next few weeks.

The Arsenal manager said maintaining a deep squad would be important given the demands of the season, particularly after injuries affected several players in the same position last campaign.

He said the club would assess the appropriate squad size based on player availability, injury records and versatility.

Arteta also confirmed that Myles Lewis-Skelly would remain an Arsenal player after the transfer window closes.

Arsenal enter the new campaign as Premier League champions after winning the title last season, but Arteta said the team must prove itself again from the start.

He said the club's ambition to retain the title remained strong, but stressed that Arsenal would have to demonstrate their quality on the pitch throughout the season.

Multiple reports have linked Arsenal with Aston Villa and England defender Ezri Konsa, with the Gunners reportedly leading the race for the versatile defender.