Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that his desire to sign new players this month has "accelerated" following the injury blow to Theo Walcott.

The England international has been ruled out for at least six months after suffering a knee injury during the Gunners' 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup third round last weekend.

Following the North London outfit's failure to sign a striker in the summer window, Wenger has suggested that he will look for attacking options in the winter market.

"[Walcott's injury] has accelerated speculation first and of course my desire as well," Wenger told the club's official website.

"Up front we lose Theo as a potential central forward and that's maybe where we have to look outside, but we hopefully have [Nicklas] Bendtner back in three weeks. We are there for the opportunities but it's very difficult at the moment."

Walcott will also miss England's World Cup campaign in Brazil this summer due to the injury.