Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger makes January signing pledge as injury list increases

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has promised to make signings in the January transfer window – as long as he can find players with sufficient qualify. The French boss is again coming under pressure to spend in the winter market amid the club's mounting injury list.

Seven players currently occupy the Gunners treatment table, with Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta having recently joined that group with up knee and calf injuries respectively. Olivier Giroud and Hector Bellerin both went off with ankle and groin problems in the Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb, but neither are expected to spend any significant time out.

Former Arsenal players including Ian Wright and Ray Parlour have called on Wenger to spend in the upcoming window to cover for the club's injury problems. The 66-year-old has been historically hesitant over making signings, particularly in the mid-season window, but has pledged to make a move if he finds the appropriate player.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference before the trip to Norwich City, he said, according to The Mirror: "I love a bargain, who doesn't love a bargain? For us a bargain is to buy players of top quality, only top quality strengthens our squad. I bought Vieira for £2.5m – top bargain. If I find the right quality, I will do something."

Wenger will make a late decision over the fitness of Alexis Sanchez after the Chile international picked up a minor hamstring injury in the 3-0 win over Dinamo. Sanchez scored twice at The Emirates Stadium but is a doubt ahead of the trip to Norwich.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is fit again following a hamstring injury of his own and is back in the Arsenal squad for the journey to Carrow Road, while Theo Walcott is close to resuming his season after a calf issue. Both blows were picked up in the Capital One Cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday in October.

"I will assess [Sanchez's hamstring injury] later," the Arsenal boss confirmed. "Spontaneously it is not the right time to rest him. He has another big hurdle to get across today and hopefully he can be successful.

"Everyone who played Tuesday is available. Maybe Chamberlain should be back in the squad [or Norwich] – Theo Walcott is not for Sunday, he needs to go through a few steps."