By 90min | Created at 2024-12-25 12:27:31 | Updated at 2024-12-26 00:38:19
12 hours ago
The typically coy Mikel Arteta was unusually candid as he broke news of Bukayo Saka's torn hamstring which leaves Arsenal's teetering 2024/25 at risk of collapse.
Amid Arteta's update, the Spaniard asserted that the Gunners were fighting for the title with "one of the thinnest squads in the Premier League". Some have interpreted Arteta's recent comments as a message to the hierarchy ahead of a potentially critical January transfer window. If Arsenal are to achieve their goals this term and meet pre-season expectations, an aggressive winter may be required.
Supporters were already keen on the idea of reinforcements before Saka's muscle succumbed at Selhurst Park. To be fair, the majority thought that swapping Reiss Nelson for Raheem Sterling wouldn't be enough to catapult the Gunners to their first league title since 2004.
Arteta has suggested the north Londoners are open for business, but the January window is a notoriously difficult one to strike big deals in. No club wants to part ways with their most lucrative assets midway through the season.
Arsenal will doubtlessly seek opportunities in a bid to bolster their squad, however. Here are their positions of need this winter, as well as a few targets to keep an eye on.
Alexander Isak has long been on the Gunners' radar / Paul Harding/GettyImages
Gooners have been long obsessed with the club finally acquiring their long-term number nine. It was the primary position of need this time last year, but then Kai Havertz offered promise up top and eventually played a key role in the Gunners' title charge. Arsenal were vindicated for not panicking in the winter.
Arsenal have remarkably signed just one centre-forward since Arteta took over (Gabriel Jesus), and surely the time has arrived to bolster the position. Havertz is more than capable of performing as Arteta's leading man, but is he a ceiling-raiser? The German has just six Premier League goals in 16 appearances this term.
It seems as if the Gunners will require something special to get over the hump.
Key targets
If Arsenal opt for a centre-forward next year, they're going to go big. Thus, acquiring their desired target in January may be tricky.
The club are long-term admirers of Newcastle's Alexander Isak, but the Magpies, given that the Swede's contract doesn't expire until 2028, can demand a monstrous fee. Isak's been in tremendous form and he's the preferred target of many supporters.
The Benjamin Sesko waters may be tested again after their failed pursuit last summer, while Dusan Vlahovic is a name that won't escape the rumour mills. Viktor Gyokeres has caught everybody's eye.
Bukayo Saka cover
Bukayo Saka is out for a sustained period after tearing his hamstring / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
As soon as Arteta confirmed Saka will be out for "many weeks" due to a hamstring tear, there were immediate cries for January reinforcements. Saka has needed cover for years, and Arteta's unwillingness to rotate has ultimately contributed to the winger's latest setback.
Admittedly, it is tough to find a high-quality performer willing to play second fiddle but some may be tempted in January in the knowledge that they may have a couple of months to prove their worth before Saka returns.
The Gunners don't exclusively require a right-winger. They need more quality in wide areas full stop. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have not cut the mustard this season, while Raheem Sterling's loan has so far proven to be pointless.
They have to sign at least one winger in January.
Key targets
Forget Marcus Rashford. Manchester United will not be selling the Englishman to their domestic rivals, and Arsenal will surely turn their noses up at the finances involved in any potential deal.
However, the Gunners could look at other Premier League options. The perpetually underrated Bryan Mbeumo has once again shone in Ivan Toney's absence this term and is a versatile option, while Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo is a powerful and direct dribbler who's starting to evolve into a regular final third contributor for the Cherries.
Randal Kolo Muani is set to be available after falling out of favour at PSG. The Frenchman is another flexible forward who primarily functions as a number nine but can also play out wide.
Ademola Lookman has previously been of interest but Atalanta won't part ways midway through the season, while Nico Williams is enduring a pretty tough season at Athletic Club. He's more likely to leave in the summer.
Kudus has a reported £85m release clause / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages
Arsenal may have a couple of full-back injuries, but they're well stocked in defence with Arteta boasting several players also capable of filling in at the heart of his defence. Supporters certainly won't be particularly inspired if the club once again focus their attentions on bolstering their backline this winter given the needs higher up the pitch.
The Gunners have been able to assert impressive control on matches this term, but they've dropped points when unable to convert pressure into open-play chances. Set-pieces have, of course, been a reliable avenue.
Martin Odegaard is the chief creator and much of Arsenal's play has been funnelled down the right. The Gunners require balance, and they may need another creative spark to knit things together down an underperforming left-hand side. Mikel Merino is functional, but he's flattered to deceive thus far. Arsenal may need something more than a midfielder who stands out for winning headers and making decoy runs - as valuable as they are.
Key targets
Mohammed Kudus has been tenuously linked, but he's someone who could thrive operating from the left-half space in creative tandem with Odegaard. There'd be scope for the pair to switch roles, too, with the captain occasionally showing an ability to be devastating from an inside left position.
There have otherwise been few links to out-and-out playmakers, but Xavi Simons, Morgan Gibbs-White and Alex Baena are good fits.
Martin Zubimendi is a deeper-lying conductor who's so far been reluctant to depart Real Sociedad.
