Mikel Arteta has hinted that Arsenal could sign defenders before the transfer window closes.

The window closes on August 31, by which time Premier League teams need to have their business done.

The Gunners are interested in signing Jarell Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen and also hold long-standing interest in Quansah’s England team-mate, the Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

It is understood that it is a right-sided defender that Arsenal are considering adding to their squad before the deadline. Only one of Arsenal’s substitutes on the bench in Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City was a defender, and both of Arsenal’s injury absentees — Jurrien Timber and William Saliba — are defenders.

Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners over Manchester City in Sunday’s Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and, afterwards, Arteta was asked about Arsenal’s plans for the remainder of the window.

“Well, we know that there are certain areas that, through injuries, we are weaker and we need to strengthen,” Arteta said after the game.

“We are trying to do that, we've been trying to do that for weeks, so only the right opportunity and if the club is able to do it, we will do it.”