Arsenal have made a strong start to the season, and Mikel Arteta is prepared to spend in the January transfer window to give his team the best opportunity of winning the Premier League.
Following Thursday’s defeat to West Ham, Mikel Arteta’s squad is now second in the Premier League. The Gunners sit two points behind Liverpool and three points ahead of Manchester City, though Pep Guardiola’s team has a game in hand.
Arsenal could, however, enter the transfer market in January to try to give them a push to get them over the line. Arteta stated on Wednesday that the Gunners are ready to play in the winter window.
“If there is something that we can [do to] improve the squad and that needs appear, and we cannot fulfil it with players here, we are always going to be open to do that because we want to be stronger,” Arteta said.
In light of this, we play Managing Arsenal and examine the business that Arsenal ought to pursue in January.
Arsenal’s Potential Business Targets
In order to make room for new players in January, a number of players may be sold. Thomas Partey is one of the people who might depart. Due to a hamstring injury, the Ghanaian has only started three Premier League games this season and hasn’t appeared on the field for the Gunners since early October.
Arteta’s injury history is starting to pose a serious issue, and Arsenal can no longer count on him to be available each week. Given that Juventus is known to be a fan of the 30-year-old, Partey might be sold as a result.
Another player facing elimination is Cedric Soares. While he is free to discuss a pre-contract arrangement with non-British clubs, he may be able to leave early in January. Given that Arsenal needs more talent at full-back and that Cedric is having difficulty getting into games, it would be a wise move for both sides.
Arsenal have been extensively connected with signing a new striker in January, and if they do, Arteta will almost certainly have to sell one of his front players. Gabriel Jesus is without a doubt the Gunners’ top choice right now, which means Eddie Nketiah could be on his way out.
Nketiah has five Premier League goals this season but hasn’t started a top-flight match since the 1-0 loss at Newcastle. In January, the 23-year-old would be ideal for West Ham, Fulham, or Wolves, although a Nketiah-plus-cash deal for Brentford’s Ivan Toney could be worth considering for the Gunners.
Aaron Ramsdale’s Future
Aaron Ramsdale should be kept at the club by Arteta, but the custodian needs to play more games if he hopes to make Gareth Southgate’s England selection for Euro 2024.
Others who could depart in January include Jorginho, Emile Smith Rowe, and Reiss Nelson, although Arsenal should keep them around in case of an injury issue and their roster becomes overstressed.
