Arsenal are targeting a defensive midfielder and a centre-back in the January transfer window, according to a report from France.
L’Equipe report that Arsenal are targeting a defensive midfielder and a centre-back in the January transfer window.
But after a summer of spending for the Gunners, the club reportedly can’t do anything too significant.
Speaking in his most recent press conference, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Arsenal have certain targets in mind for the January window, but it will depend on “if things happen”.
That’s presumably a hint that Arsenal would need to sell before buying, backing up the claim that the club’s spending in 2023 will hold them back a bit in the coming window.
There are a number of positions Arsenal need to address in the mid-to-long-term, despite the team’s strong performance so far this season.
With the rumours surrounding Aaron Ramsdale’s future, the club may need to dip into the market for another goalkeeper before long.
There’s a sense that Arsenal could still use an addition up front, as well as strong rotation options on the wings.
But there’s little doubt that midfield and centre-back are two potential areas of concern ahead of the second half of the season.
With all the injuries in the two positions, Arsenal are reliant on a very small group of players to get them through the coming games.
Mohamed Elneny and Jorginho are fit again, and Thomas Partey should be back soon too, but with Elneny and Partey’s injury records, they can’t be relied upon.
Even if they can stay fit, the trio are all in their thirties. In the current squad, only Cedric Soares is older than them. A more youthful new signing could help to balance the position a bit.
At centre-back, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber are out injured, and Ben White has also had some injury concerns.
Jakub Kiwior is the only real alternative to starting duo Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, which is why Declan Rice ended up playing the role in Arsenal’s recent Champions League clash with PSV.
Whether there’s a deal to be done in January remains to be seen, but it’s not hard to understand why the club might be targeting players in these two positions.