Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reluctant to dip into the transfer market next month.

The absence of Ivory Coast players Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue could be a severe blow for the Gunners as the current Premier League leaders seek their first title since 2004.

But Wenger admits he may have to "suffer" during January rather than buy players who will end up being surplus to requirements.

"Kolo Toure goes off to the African Nations Cup shortly and we may lose Alex Song for it as well," said the Frenchman.

"Even with Johan Djourou returning from Birmingham we would then be left with three specialist centre-backs.

"If I signed another one we'd have too many after the African Nations. Sometimes you just have to suffer during the tournament and let your players play."

Philippe Senderos is determined to seize his chance when Toure goes on international duty with Ivory Coast.

"It could be a big opportunity for me to go in there and show what I can do," said the Switzerland defender.

"I believe I've already shown what I'm capable of but this could be a big chance to come into the team for a while.

"It would be a good time to come in as well - we are playing great football, winning games, and I'm ready for the challenge."

Senderos would probably partner skipper William Gallas.

Meanwhile Jens Lehmann admits a decision on whether he leaves Arsenal will have to be made in the next week.

The 38-year-old goalkeeper has only played once since his blunder against Blackburn at the start of the season, and Manuel Almunia has established himself as number one.

Bundesliga side Wolfsburg are believed to be leading the chase for the veteran.

"If I am going to switch clubs, then I would have to reach a decision by the start of January at the latest," he said in an interview with Berlin's Tagesspiegel newspaper. "That means in about a week.

"I have heard something, but I cannot say anything concrete about it at the moment."

Almunia earned hero status with Arsenal fans for his penalty save against Tottenham, while Wenger also has Lukasz Fabianski waiting in the wings.

Lehmann, meanwhile, was the first player out of the Emirates Stadium after the beating Spurs on Saturday.

"Somebody from there has called Arsene Wenger," Lehmann said.

"My lawyer has also spoken with people, but I cannot say which club they are from.

"Things keep moving, so it is hard to talk about it at the moment. I should know more in a week."