It’s no secret that Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen his squad when the transfer window opens in January and the Spaniard was quick to reiterate the message in his first press conference following the conclusion of the World Cup.
Since he last faced the media following the 2-0 win over Wolves on 13 November, the Spaniard has lost Gabriel Jesus, an ever-present in the league, to a knee injury that required surgery.
The Brazilian, who has five goals and seven assists in all competitions this season, probably won’t play again until the end of February at the earliest leaving the Gunners short of options in the final third.
While Eddie Nketiah can provide cover in the short-term, there are so many games on the horizon that recruiting further backup is a necessity, especially if Arsenal are to maintain the incredible form shown in the first 14 games of the Premier League campaign.
“We will be in the market, always active and we will assess the biggest opportunities that we have,” Arteta said on Thursday.
“We are going to be active and active means we are looking to strengthen the team.
“This squad still doesn’t have the luxury of not maximising every single window. We have to do that because it’s really important. But then we have to get the right profile, it has to be the right player to take us to the next level.”
Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mkyhailo Mudryk is understood to be on the shopping list but we wanted be surprised if the club pulled a rabbit from the hat as they did in the summer with the out-of-the-blue recruitment of Fabio Vieira. Given Thomas Partey’s injury history since he joined Arsenal, it’s possible the club will also target a midfielder.
It sounds as though Arteta is expecting competition in the market. Plenty of clubs sacked managers ahead of the break and will likely be looking to strengthen in the new year.
“You know there are a lot of teams with new coaches and new owners that are going to probably get again this window into a position that is never seen or experienced before but we know that and we have to be active on it,” noted Arteta.
In terms of outgoings, the only serious rumour circulating is a possible move for Cedric. It’s understood Fulham would like to sign him and with agent Kia Joorabchian already placing Willian there, we wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a deal that gets done in some form.
The Portugal international has barely featured this season with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of him in the pecking order.
“We know where we are in terms of the squad and numbers that we have,” said Arteta.
“We’ll be extremely cautious about what we want to do in the window.”
Sign Saliba, Saka and Martinelli. Top priorities.
A striker plus a back-up DM would be good too.
Big window coming up!
News has it that martinelli have already signed a five-year extension.Let’s hope the others will follow suit.
I was wondering if the club were waiting for Christmas to announce one or two of the new contracts, as a sort of Xmas gift to the fans, but Mikel hinted it’s still weeks away.
Get Joao Felix, Danilo and Tielemans/Mykhaylo in this January if we really want to compete for the PL title.
Mudryk is the priority and we do really need a winger to take the burden off Saka and Martinelli.
Danilo is one for the future so won’t make a difference this season.
Tielemens could have been bought last summer but the club opted not to pull the trigger so I don’t see anything changing now whilst Xhaka and Vieira can fill that spot. Maybe next summer on a free.
Felix will probably join Man United.
Now that Arteta has made these statements he better back them up with action. If they are no signings by the end of January then he should go
Go where?
Are you seriously advocating that the manager who has us currently TOP OF THE TABLE should be fired if the January transfer window is less than optimal?
I feel like that’s saying if the next beer in your favourite pub isn’t up to snuff, BURN IT ALL DOWN!
Are you doing ok?
The title is there to be won and he could fuck it all up
Even by your standard this is very funny 😂
What title are you referring to? I understand that we are sitting on top, but lets be realistic here. Top 4 is our priority this season. Call me not ambitious person, but thats reality for this season. We are still behind the likes of City and injury-free Liverpool. Next season is appropriate a time to talk about tittle as the current group will has 2 seasons playing together at least.
I don’t agree with fats on an Arteta sacking, but the title needs to be the priority here. Opportunities like this don’t just automatically line up after you’ve had a nice year, but fell away. We might be the Liverpool (injury-bug) of next season. We need to be going hard out for this title. We really need a player or two this window.
“Next season”… Sorry mate, but that’s a loser mentality.
Agreed Daveo. This feels like a golden opportunity we should do all we can to me maximise. I’m praying that loosing Jesus doesn’t derail this young team like loosing Eduardo. Obvs circumstances are different, and I think the squad mentality is stronger… certainly the captain seems mentally stronger!
Bloody hilarious
And Fat Sam to replace him???
For Mikel to be so open, hopefully the Mudryk deal has significantly progressed.
I suspect a priority winger will be the only signing we make.