Mikel Arteta needs reinforcements - and quick.
The problem is that all of Arsenal ’s transfer plans have been geared towards the summer and injuries have hit just at the wrong time. Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s main man and he is out until at least the end of February. Gabriel Jesus is also out for the long term.
To make matters worse, it was the wide areas and centre forward where Arsenal needed to strengthen anyway and now it is even more acute. Even when they beat Tottenham, a proper striker would have ensured they won more comfortably.
Gunners boss Arteta has hinted at some frustration about spending and also having “one of the thinnest squads in the Premier League.” So, the next windows are crucial.
Arsenal got last summer horribly wrong by signing a left-back in Riccardo Calafiori - who has proved to be injury-prone - and a workmanlike midfielder Mikel Merino. They already had midfielders and left-backs coming out of their ears.
Another part of the art of being a sporting director is to be able to offload players at the right time to maximise value. They did not do that either. Last summer was a bad window for Arsenal.
So, what are Arsenal doing? Planning to sign another midfielder, of course. It could be a frustrating window when Arsenal need an injection of hope.
INCOMINGS
Possibles
Benjamin Sesko
The RB Leipzig striker was wanted by Arsenal last summer but decided to stay for another year and also had a £60m “gentleman’s agreement” inserted in his contract to allow him to leave. RB Leipzig will not sell in January unless someone makes a crazy, crazy offer. And it’s hard to see Arsenal paying massively over the odds.
Arsenal are not the only ones interested. They also have other options like Juventus ’ Dušan Vlahović and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres. Juventus seem ready to do business - so do Arsenal jump or wait and hold for Sesko?
That is the question. So it might not be one specific striker - more if they can get one in January.
Viktor Gyokeres
The Sweden striker is on the radar of so many big clubs. His movement, goals and ability have caught the eye. Arsenal looked at him when he was at Coventry. But he specifically wanted to go abroad, get space and time to develop - and it’s paid off.
Mind you, William Saliba and Gabriel kept him quiet when Arsenal played Sporting Lisbon.
Dusan Vlahovic
Arsenal looked at him in the same window that they also checked out Gabriel Jesus, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alexander Isak. Come on, who really would have plumped for Isak?
Anyway, they did not think Vlahovic was quite what they wanted then so why now? Juventus are short of strikers but do seem to be ready to potentially do business.
Evan Ferguson
This one has cropped up a bit. The Brighton striker wants games. Arsenal do like him. But would Brighton really loan him?
Nico Williams
The Athletic Bilbao winger is Arsenal’s dream signing. He is explosive, quick and exciting. He’s also young with lots of years ahead.
There is a £55m buy-out clause which could be triggered but the sticking point is the wages. He wants in excess of £300,000-a-week. He is already on big money and, unless he gets a huge deal in England, moving to the Premier League would see his net earnings drop.
Bryan Mbeumo
The Brentford winger is another on Arsenal’s list of potentials. He is explosive, creative and the question is whether a deal could be done and also does he take a club to the next level?
Martin Zubimendi
Sorry, but a lot of Arsenal fans thought this was a wind-up. What do Arsenal need? Another defensive midfielder. Yes, it’s more for the summer and, yes, he’s actually a long-term target who Arsenal have tried for in the past.
With Thomas Partey and Jorginho potentially leaving in the summer, you can see the logic. But if Arsenal sign a defensive midfielder before a striker or a winger then we might as well all pack up and go home.
EXITS
Kieran Tierney
This guy gets an incredible reception whenever he comes on. What a fans’ favourite. But is no longer part of Mikel Arteta ’s plans so would be crazy to keep him - especially if Celtic make a big offer.
Jakub Kiwior
Hard to see him going in January, but a big offer might make things happen. He can cover at left-back or centre-half so that versatility makes him attractive. He will surely be sold in the summer, though.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Notice anything about the three potential exits? They are all left-sided defenders and - dare I say it - left-back. How Arsenal left themselves with so many left-backs and then signed another in Calafiori… it’s actually comically bad.
There has been interest in Zinchenko from the likes of Inter Milan. He used to be such an important player but now he seems to make too many mistakes.