quote:
Wenger may make last-minute buy
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has not ruled out entering the transfer market this week after another of his first-team squad suffered an injury.
Julio Baptista picked up a groin strain in Sunday's FA Cup draw with Bolton and joins Robin van Persie, Alexander Hleb and William Gallas on the sidelines.
When asked if he would be forced to buy now, Wenger said: "That is a good question and I can't answer right now.
"I'd see that as a panic buy but we have lost a lot of our good players."
The FA Cup draw with the Trotters at the weekend means the Gunners face a congested fixture list in coming weeks.
The replay, scheduled for February 13 or 14, falls on a week already earmarked for a rearranged Premiership clash with Manchester City, while the Gunners are still competing in the Carling Cup and Uefa Champions League as well.
Wenger admits his squad will be stretched to its fullest during that time, adding: "I will see when we play and which players I will use because it is important not to lose too many players.
"First of all you want your good players to be with you and we do have important games coming up.
"If we continue to lose players, I will have to choose what we go for."
The Frenchman could now be tempted to enter the race to sign Southampton full-back Gareth Bale, with Manchester United and Tottenham reportedly leading the chase, although a more attacking option would appear more likely.
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