Arsenal face Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the FA Cup, with Mikel Arteta admitting his squad is ‘really short’ on numbers as they await clarity on a number of players before the trip to the City Ground.
The Arsenal boss also made public his desire to add some players to the squad in the upcoming window in order to boost the team as we continue to compete on three fronts.
“We are very, very short at the moment,” said Arteta in relation to the imminent departure of Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Roma.
“Obviously we are going to move, and we are going to look for options because we are very short there.”
Asked about the striking position in particular, with Flo Balogun about to go to Boro on loan and question marks over Lacazette and Nketiah (6 months left on contracts) and Aubameyang (naughty step), Arteta conitnued, “We have a very special situation in that position, because you are talking about three players with different issues at the moment.
“We have to live with that and so far the players that are here are fully committed. With Flo, we will see in the next week or so what is the final decision with that.”
The Arsenal boss would not be drawn on links to Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, and reports today say that the Gunners are ‘pushing’ for Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic, with Lucas Torreira a potential makeweight in that deal.
Let’s see what happens, but Arteta has made it clear, publicly, he wants reinforcements this month. Over to you, Edu.
Whether or not you would want a signing like Dusan (I would very much), it is nice to see the club act quickly. Seems like that is needed to pull home a signing like this.
Yeah, I can’t see top four with this current squad just because these young players will get tired and pick up injuries towards the end of the season. But with a few additions, you never know.
Two loans and a purchase please Edu. Then we are looking strong.
We need reinforcement as this is our best chance to get into Champions League. We have played each team apart from Wolves, if we get the same points as we have on first 19 games we reach 70, which should be enough. so far is going to plan loss twice to City won twice against Norwich.
When you throw in the shot Man Utd are going through, and our poor the spuds are, we really have a chance. Hope we take it!
Torreira. Didn’t realise he was still our player.
Isak or Vlahovic…. Either of them would be able to head those crosses that are being whipped in by KT & Tomi
why not both! We’re losing Eddie, Auba and Lacazette!
Isakovic it is!
Ok, so how about this:
I’d prefer Vlahovic, but I think Isak is much more realistic.
And Ramsdale will be able to lump the ball to them, too. I have noticed that he tends to send long balls to the wingers more than our strikers because we know Laca has a height disadvantage
Let’s hope so, if we can get a quality striker and midfielder we’ll be in a strong position, this season and going forward.
Fingers crossed…
Vlahovic or Isak would be great. Personally if we need cover at CM I would give Wilshere a short term contract until the Summer when we may have more options to consider but if we can sign across both positions that would be amazing.
Rambo 1 aka Prince Ramesis is also now available from Juve for peanuts.
Wages
both Wilshere and Ramsey were past their best before they left us the first time. also feels very anti artetas current recruitment plan. would be papering over the cracks, I hope we can do better
I agree that it would be papering over the cracks but essentially he would be providing cover until we have more options to choose from in the Summer. I would not sign him for any longer than that period.
Wilshire? You’re having a laugh, right?!
amn is better. just wouldn’t make any sense. but I’m sure there’s a reason why arsenal haven’t scouted me to work for their recruitment team so who knows
Wilshere would be a heart signing not a head signing. He wasn’t able to cut it for Bournemouth 2 years ago. Sadly the injuries did for our Jack.
Not gonna lie, really enjoying this new era, finally feel like the ship has been steadied and we are moving forward. COYG
Hi Alex!
Are you from Hungary?
Thank god the spectre of signing Coutinho on another Kia special deal has vanished – whether there was any truth in that. Optimistic about this window! Time for Edu to show that he didn’t just get lucky with the last window. The Ornstein himself has just announced that we are pushing to sign Vlahovic, and also thinking of Isak and Calvert-Lewin – Any of those would be exciting.
Except for Calvert Lewin
Thank you for this comment. So tired of people mentioning Calvert-Lewin.
Guy is not the level of striker we need.
Calvert-Lewin is a poor man’s Giroud.
yep – would rather we’d snapped up Tammy for 32m. Or even HFB for 1m (who just scored AGAIN for Milan!)
So here’s a crazy thought: Xavi got Santi to move to Saudi, but he’s now gone to take over Barca, leaving Santi in the desert… figuratively and literally! Bring him back for a final swan song 4 months – not only is it a fairytale ending to one of of most loved legends but: he will give us perfect deep-lying mid field cover the yooof will learn loads from him… both skills and attitude he’s our fella, not to mention that he and Mik are great mates so there’s no question of any ‘settling in’ period he’s proved he still… Read more »
Love to see him back in some capacity
Would love to have him around to kick off his coaching career, even if his brand of magic can’t be taught.
And then he gets two footed in the shins. Wouldn’t want that to happen to him again. The pace of the league has gotten much faster than when he was here
Although I’m fine waiting until the summer for a striker, I would still prefer Jonathan David to both the other options. Cost is probably about the same (NOT CHEAP), but it seems like he has waaaay more potential.
Oh and let’s splash 30 million this month for Bruno guimaraes while we’re at it.
I also like Sanches – he’s got something of the beast about him, but is also properly quick, which is just what we need in midfield.
Want Vlahovic and Guimares. Will end up with Ceballos and D. Suarez.
If we going to spend I like the look of Dennis of Watford.
I would go for Dennis after we have Vlahovic, Isak, DCL or someone like that. By the looks of it we may have 3 CF’s going out, at least 2. So we need 2. Think Dennis would be a decent 2nd choice tbh
I’m telling you lads Haaland is on the way I’ve got my rosary beads, lucky rabbits foot and everything
HORSE WHISPERER ODEGAARD
Martin has given him the captain’s ørder!
Okay guys n gals which would be your first, second, third and forth choice out of this lot? Personally Calvert-Lewin would be last on my list or not even on it, be interested to hear your thoughts?
Vlahovic
Isak
Calvert-Lewin
David
“Be Excited”