arsenal Fabrizio Romano says the Gunners have “completed” a deal worth £3.2m plus add-ons for an England Under-19 international in what they regard as a “massive signing”.

Arteta confirms Arsenal are still active ahead of deadline day

Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal are ‘actively looking at alternatives’ Mikel Merino During the closing time of the transfer window.

The Merino suffered a fracture in his right foot that required surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.

Arsenal spent £250m on eight players in the summer and are one of, if not the, strongest Premier League teams.

But Arteta said the club, which was hampered by injuries last season in achieving its title aspirations, did not want to take any chances.

The versatile Merino, who was injured in Arsenal’s loss to Manchester United last month, has scored six goals in 33 games this season.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea, Arteta said: “We are actively looking at options and we will continue to do so.”

“When you lose big-name players like that with four months to go and all the games to play, you need to look and we need to do everything we can to see if there are players available and if not, we keep the players we have.

“You need a player who has the ability to adapt immediately and impact the team, it’s not easy but if it was easy we wouldn’t be here so we need to find solutions and try.

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“Yes, we have more depth now (than last season) but for seven months we didn’t because we had players out. We know the needs and we need players because we play every two or three days.

“I wouldn’t say I’m relaxed. We’re working on it. It’s our responsibility.

“As we fight for our goals, we need to give ourselves the best chance and opportunity to look at the market, every option, evaluate them and then make a decision about whether something can be done, if at all.”

Arsenal agree to sign Jaden Dixon

While they are yet to make any improvements to the first-team squad, the Gunners have completed a deal for promising young talent.

“Arsenal have agreed to sign England U19 international Jaden Dixon on a four-year contract,” Romano explain.

“The deal was completed for £3.2m plus add-ons. Arsenal considered the player a huge signing, beating several clubs.”

Dixon is an 18-year-old defender who plays for Championship team Stoke City. He has made six appearances for the Potters after joining them from the Tottenham Hotspur academy.