Arsenal boss Unai Emery blocked from recalling loan stars Reiss Nelson and Calum Chambers
Gunners are short on defenders but recalling stars would incur a fee
ARSENAL manager Unai Emery has been told he will NOT be allowed to recall on-loan stars Calum Chambers and Reiss Nelson, according to reports.
The Gunners boss is desperate for reinforcements as injuries pile up - but the two loanees will not be back at the Emirates until the summer.
Unai Emery has been told there will not be much cash available in January, although the manager is hopeful of signing one or two players.
There were rumours he could ask for Chambers and Nelson - who have been impressing at Fulham and Hoffenheim respectively - to come back early.
But, according to BBC Sport, that will not happen.
Centre-back Chambers does not have a recall option in his loan to Craven Cottage and bringing him back early would incur a fee.
The 23-year-old has started eight of nine games since Claudio Ranieri took charge, missing the game against Arsenal because of the terms of his deal.
Defenders Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal, Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Saed Kolasinac and Laurent Koscielny have all been injured in recent weeks, with Granit Xhaka spending time in a back three.
After Arsenal beat Fulham 4-1, Emery admitted that the team's "challenge" was to "improve defensively".
Further forward the Gunners also have injury concerns, with Danny Welbeck out indefinitely, Henrikh Mkhitaryan missing for another month and Mesut Ozil suffering with back and knee problems.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Nelson, 19, has been brilliant for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, scoring six goals in 13 appearances this season.
However, Arsenal believe bringing him back may hinder his development - with Nelson more likely to get first-team action in Germany.
Emery added: "It is not easy improving the team in the transfer market.
"The club is working, watching different possibilities. Maybe we can, if the transfer market gives us the opportunity, to sign one or two players."