Mikel Arteta says that planning for the January transfer window is always difficult, and especially so this season because of the World Cup which begins later this month.
However, he said the club are ready to make moves, and that the position Arsenal are in – at the top of the league at the time of writing – means targets have to be ready to make a contribution in the second half of the season.
“The planning of that period is extremely difficult,” he said of the January window. “First of all because we know the January window, how special it is, the opportunities that you have, the short window that you have.
“Once you get the player they are straight away competing, so there is not an adaptation process. And obviously with the position that we are in right now as well, it demands as well another level of a player … and that player has to be available.
“We will look at everything and let’s see what we can do.”
The Gunners have been linked with a number of players, including Brazilian midfielder Danilo, and Shaktar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk.
The Ukrainian was a summer target, and this week Shaktar’s goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin had some interesting quotes regarding the winger’s future.
He said, “All these transfer rumours affect him only in a positive way, because he enjoys what he does. And, in the team, we can tell him; ‘Well, you’re already at Arsenal, let’s all go!’”
The Arsenal boss also insisted the club were ‘in a good place’ when it comes to contract renewals for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli (who just needs a pen), and William Saliba.
Playing down the idea these had to be wrapped up before the World Cup, he said, “The timing sometimes is determined by moments, by feelings, by individual circumstances and you have to put all that together and make it happen.
“But I think we are in a good place.”
My heart goes out to Edu as January approaches.
The look in his eyes on AorN when the January window was mentioned was like the look in my eye if someone told me I had to watch a whole Sp*rs game.
Please, sign Mudryk. That kid will be phenomenal.
Yes, he’s supposed to be very good. If so, he’ll cost a lot of money as his club certainly won’t let him go on the cheap – especially if they know we desperately want someone in that position. It’s a sellers’ market which is not likely to be good news for buying clubs like Arsenal.
Not saying he’s the very player we should go all in for but at this stage in our development and considering where we are, one good, very good player however expensive is better than 5 average but cheap players to make up numbers
Sometimes you gotta pay the big asking price if you really want something. For instance, 10 mins ago, I purchased Modern Warfare 2 for 69.99. I know it’s overpriced but it’s the only way of me having it
Maybe the unexplained reason Zinchenko’s not been playing is because he’s been secretly recruiting this guy?
I haven’t seen enough of him to be honest to know how good he could be, but I have seen him live once playing for Ukraine. He didn’t have a great game to be honest (no big deal, it’s just one game) …..but my God his speed ! He is just ridiculously fast.
This man (Arteta) is class all around. I can see him becoming one of the worlds best managers the world has ever seen.
Yes, I think he has the makings of a top-class manager but don’t forget that only 18 months or so ago, almost every Gooner commenting on this site wanted him sacked! Sometimes taking a longer-term view can pay dividends.
I didn’t. I’ve always been Arteta in. Loved him as a player. Wanted him instead of Emery.
sure you did mate! xD
No sir. Some of us were believers even as far back as when he competed with Unai for the role.
We just need to make sure Barcelona keep their grubby little stumpy fingers off him.
Somebody needs to have a word with whoever orders the stationery at Arsenal FC. Martinelli is in need of a pen!
This upcoming transfer window is absolutely crucial. If we are going to convert top-four on a title then we MUST sign at least TWO quality players. A striker and a central midfielder could make all the difference.
I think you’re right. It’s clear now I think that the squad isn’t really strong enough and the second half of the season will be even more pressured with the addition of domestic cup competitions.
Whether we do sign the players we want/need (or whether they’re even available in the first place) remains to be seen in my opinion. I’m sure Arteta/Edu have a number of players in mind, but the January window can be tricky.
Impossible, more like. Nobody wants to sell. Youri Tielemans has just 6 months left and could be available
Could be Tielemans. He seems to have settled down after his disappointment over not getting a move by the close of the summer window. The way he has been scoring recently it’s obvious he has pushed his “F*ck It” slider up to 10.
I’d love to think that we’re playing 4d chess with transfers. That we know who we are targeting and, in order to ensure we get them, it’s not known outside of the club. So making the world think we’re in for Mudryk, for instance, means someone else pays for him, and possibly overpays for him – while we get to go for whomever we are truly targeting with less competition…….
I’m not sure it’s the case, but i’d love to think it was (does anyone know for certain that we were in for Raphinha?)
Pretty much what happened with Martinez
If the player banter is anything to go by, could Mykhailo Mudryk be on his way already?
Even if he’s not, we need a deal or two in January to beef up the team for the rest of the season. Top 4 is a must, and a title charge is an opportunity we shouldn’t let slip.
It pains me to watch one of my favorite Arsenal players score so many goals for Milan. I wish Giroud was still around. He just held the ball up so well, won so many headers, and was just a great player.
He is right in that we may be willing to pay for certain level of players in January, but they have to be available.