Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal January transfer window admission after Stan Kroenke meeting

Mikel Arteta has said it was "really positive" spending time with Arsenal owners Stan and Josh Kroenke over the international break, with January transfer window plans one of the many topics discussed during November's annual meeting.

The Spaniard made the trip to America following the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Chelsea on November 10, with the 42-year-old meeting with the Kroenkes to discuss the current season, future transfer plans and who could replace Edu as sporting director. Arteta was asked about the meeting on Friday ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

"It’s always really positive to spend time together," Arteta told the media. "We had time to talk about the windows and we’re taking the club after Edu.

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"It’s a joy to spend time with them. They have so much experience in the sport. You feel the ambition and how close they live every day with us."

Edu resigned from his role as sporting director earlier this month, with the search now underway for his successor. Jason Ayto has stepped up to fill the vacancy on an interim basis. He has been at the club for a decade, first as a scout, before working his way up the ladder to become Edu’s right-hand man last year.

On Ayto Arteta said: "Very good. Jason and all the team. Edu and I got a lot of the praise but the work behind it is this guy. It’s not easy to wake up and go into a different office."

football.london has reported that plans are already in place for the January window, where the Gunners expect to be reactive rather than proactive. The north Londoners have long been linked with a striker and winger, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Nico Williams tipped to make the move to Emirates Stadium.