Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he will need to be involved in the January transfer market so he can strengthen his squad.

The Frenchman had previously stated that he would more than likely steer clear of the winter window but with recent injuries to key players including star striker Robin van Persie and the fact the Gunners have fallen 11 points behind league leaders Chelsea suggests they may need reinforcements.

Wenger said his approach to the January window will have to change but says he will not be forced into any rash decisions.

"It has to. It has to because I didn't feel we were in the need to buy anybody but we will be out on the market, that is for sure," Wenger said. "But we will only make a decision if it suits us."

Arsenal has been linked with Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh, Inter teenager Mario Balotelli, Real Madrid's Ruud van Nistelrooy and West Ham's Carlton Cole but is unlikely that any of those players will make their way to Emirates Stadium in early 2010.