Typically coy Mikel Arteta was uncharacteristically candid when breaking the news of Bukayo Saka’s hamstring tear that leaves Arsenal 2024/25 at risk of collapse.
Amid Arteta’s update, the Spaniard insisted the Gunners were fighting for the title with “one of the thinnest teams in the Premier League”. Some have interpreted Arteta’s recent comments as a message to the hierarchy ahead of a potentially critical January transfer window. If Arsenal are to achieve their goals this term and meet pre-season expectations, an aggressive winter may be necessary.
Supporters were already keen on the idea of reinforcements before Saka’s muscle succumbed at Selhurst Park. To be fair, most thought swapping Reiss Nelson for Raheem Sterling wouldn’t be enough to catapult the Gunners to their first league title since 2004.
Arteta has suggested the north Londoners are open to business, but the January window is notoriously difficult to secure major deals. No club wants to part with their most lucrative assets mid-season.
Arsenal will no doubt be looking for opportunities to try and strengthen their squad. Here are his positions of need this winter, as well as some targets to keep an eye on.
Gooners have long been obsessed with the club finally acquiring their long-term number nine. It was the first position of need this time last year, but then Kai Havertz offered promise up top and eventually played a key role in the Gunners’ title charge. Arsenal were vindicated for not panicking in the winter.
Arsenal have remarkably only signed one centre-forward since taking over from Arteta (Gabriel Jesus), and surely the time has come to strengthen the position. Havertz is more than capable of acting as Arteta’s leading man, but is he a ceiling lifter? The German has scored just six Premier League goals in 16 games this season.
It looks as if the Gunners will need something special to get over the hump.
Key objectives
If Arsenal go for a centre-forward next year, they will go big. So achieving your desired goal in January can be tricky.
The club are long-term admirers of Newcastle Alexander Isakbut the Magpies, given the Swede’s contract does not expire until 2028, can demand a monstrous fee. Isak has been in great form and is a favorite target for many supporters.
Benjamin Sesko’s waters can be tested again after his failed pursuit last summer, while Dusan Vlahovic it is a name that will not escape the rumours. Victor Gyokeres has attracted everyone’s attention.
As soon as Arteta confirmed that Saka will be out for “many weeks” with a hamstring tear, there were immediate cries for January reinforcements. Saka has needed cover for years and Arteta’s unwillingness to rotate has finally contributed to the winger’s latest setback.
Admittedly, it’s difficult to find a high-quality player willing to play second fiddle, but some may be tempted in January knowing they may have a couple of months to prove their worth before Saka returns.
The Gunners do not exclusively require a right winger. They need more quality in wide areas and point. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have failed to cut the mustard this season, while Raheem Sterling’s loan spell has so far proved futile.
They need to sign at least one full-back in January.
Key objectives
Forget Marcus Rashford. Manchester United will not sell the Englishman to their domestic rivals, and surely Arsenal will turn their noses at the finances involved in any possible deal.
However, the Gunners could look at other Premier League options. The perpetually underrated Bryan Mbeumo has shone again in Ivan Toney’s absence this term and is a versatile option, while Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is a powerful and direct dribbler who is beginning to develop into a regular third contributor for the Cherries.
Randal Cole Muani he is expected to be available after falling out of favor at PSG. The Frenchman is another versatile striker who mainly operates as a number nine but can also play out wide.
Ademola Lookman He’s been of interest in the past, but Atalanta won’t be parting ways mid-season Nico Williams is enduring quite a tough season at the Athletic Club. It is more likely that he will leave in the summer.
Arsenal may have a couple of full-back injuries but are well stocked in defence, with Arteta having several players also capable of filling the center of his defence. Fans will certainly not be particularly inspired if the club turn their attention back to strengthening their backline this winter given the needs further up the pitch.
The Gunners have been able to assert impressive control in games this season, but have dropped points when they have failed to convert pressure into open-play opportunities. Of course, the set-pieces have been a reliable way.
Martin Odegaard is the main creator and much of Arsenal’s play has been channeled down the right. The Gunners need balance and may need another creative spark to pull things together for an underperforming left side. Mikel Merino is functional, but so far he is flattered to deceive. Arsenal may need something more than a standout midfielder to win headers and trick runs, as valuable as they are.
Key objectives
Mohammed Jerusalem has been weakly linked but is someone who could thrive operating from the left-half space in creative tandem with Odegaard. There would also be scope for the pair to switch roles, with the captain occasionally showing the ability to be devastating from an inside-left position.
On the other hand, there have been few links to the game makers, however Xavi Simons, Morgan Gibbs-White i Alex Baena they fit well
Martin Zubimendi he is a lying conductor who has so far been reluctant to leave the Royal Society.
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2024-12-25 12:00:00
