Five players Arsenal should be signing in January
Five players Mikel Arteta should be bringing to the Premier League to play for Arsenal in the January transfer window
By Adam Le Roux
Happy New Year’s Eve Arsenal fans! And although we can’t celebrate in the usual fashion this year, there is still at least one thing that remains the same, and that’s the fact we’re less than 24 hours away from the January transfer window.
Yes, tomorrow will see the start of the wheeling and dealing, as clubs all over Europe look to bolster their squads ahead of the run-in until the end of the season, with deals being struck all over the shop throughout the month.
Arsenal will be no exception to this, with boss Mikel Arteta planning an overhaul of his squad as Big Ben strikes midnight. And after a terrible start to the season, who can blame him?
With shot-shy strikers and a leaky backline, there are plenty of contenders for where the new arrivals will be over the next 32 days, but we have whittled it down to just five players that all stand out as capable of adding an extra bit of quality to the Gunners side.
Target #1: Isco
This one has been mooted for a little while now, but the thought of the Spanish playmaker plying his trade at the Emirates is one that really gets the pulse racing, with his vision and movement filling the dearth of creativity in the squad at the moment.
The 28-year-old has been out of favour with Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane of late, and a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium could suit all parties, with the former Malaga man itching for more game time.
Without Mesut Ozil in the squad, and with the German possibly on his way out of the Emirates this month, Arsenal are calling out for a creative playmaker in their side, and someone who can unlock the meanest of Premier League defences.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have been tasked with this role of late, and have performed admirably, but someone with the quality of Isco doesn’t come available all that often, so Arteta should be making him his number one priority heading into January, because he could make all the difference in the second half of the season.
Although he may only be available on a loan deal until the end of the season at the moment, Madrid seem keen to sell him in the summer, and a six-month stint at the Emirates could pave the way for a permanent move for him at the end of the current campaign.
Target #2: Yves Bissouma
There has been plenty of talk about Yves Bissouma even before Tuesday night’s match with Brighton, but the Malian’s performance at the Amex in midweek only cemented his place on this list, as he looked assured and composed in the middle of the park.
The 24-year-old was a constant presence in the deeper midfield role for the Seagulls, as he kept his backline protected throughout the 90 minutes, as well as keeping possession tidily when the ball was at his feet.
It’s fair to say the signing of Thomas Partey hasn’t been particularly fruitful so far, with the Ghanaian’s spell on the sidelines continuing into the new year, so another imposing presence in the engine room is exactly what Arteta needs if Arsenal are going to exert their authority on Premier League matches.
With Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny the preferred choice in the centre midfield role of late – with Dani Ceballos contributing from the bench – a new face would be welcomed through the spine of the Gunners’ team, and Bissouma looks like the perfect fit.
It is no surprise that a number of high-profile clubs have shown an interest in him, with Liverpool said to be interested, as well as Real Madrid, but if Arsenal act swiftly, he could be the perfect foil for Partey when the summer signing gets back to full fitness.
Target #3: Odsonne Edouard
We are all aware that finding the back of the net has been the main issue with Arsenal this season, with 16 goals scored in as many Premier League games - a tally that only four sides have less than.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hasn’t produced the goods like we all know he can, and although he has picked up in recent weeks, Alexandre Lacazette has been wide of the mark more often than not.
In fact, there are still question marks over the Frenchman’s future at the Emirates, so a replacement in the goalscoring department may be what is needed, and in Odsonne Edouard they have the perfect target.
The 22-year-old is hot property in Scotland, as he notched 28 goals in his 45 appearances in all competitions for Celtic last season, with a further 12 in 24 in the current campaign.
So often, records across the border are too easily scoffed at, but Edouard has all the abilities to cut it in the Premier League - after all, the goals don’t move, and being surrounded by top quality players giving him the service should make adapting to the English game a lot easier.
With former teammate Kieran Tierney already playing in the red and white, a move to London may hold some sway for the France Under-21 International, who reportedly also has Juventus after his signature.
The signing of the goalscoring sensation would prove that Arsenal and Arteta mean business heading into 2021, and once he gets going, there is no knowing how many strikes he could plunder for the Gunners.
Target #4: Marcel Sabitzer
If the signing of Marcel Sabitzer came off, it would be all the more sweet for Arsenal fans knowing that they have gazumped their local rivals for his signature.
The RB Leipzig captain is rumoured to also be interesting Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho in January, with the Austrian reportedly available for somewhere in the region of £45m.
The 26-year-old has been influential in the heart of the German side’s midfield this season, and caught the eye as they dumped Manchester United out of the Champions League earlier in the year - scoring the opener in the 3-2 victory over the Red Devils.
Similar to Isco, the German international can provide a creative spark to spearhead the Arsenal attack, but in addition, he can also play in a deeper role, as well as on either flank.
That sort of versatility is exactly what Arteta demands from his players, with roles being able to flow freely between the team, and Sabitzer would fit that bill perfectly.
Having been at the club since 2014, it may be hard to prize the talent away from Leipzig, but if the move can be pulled off, it would be an absolute masterstroke to capture a player of his calibre in his prime.
Target #5: Aitor Fernandez
This one may seem like a left-field option, but after failing to sign him in the summer, it may be worth trying to lure Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez to the Emirates for a second time.
After his showing in the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, Alex Runarsson does not seem capable of providing the competition for Bernd Leno between the sticks, with the Icelander’s errors proving costly against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Fernandez has already been contacted by Arsenal after Emi Martinez made the move to Aston Villa in the summer, before Runarsson joined from Dijon to fill the void.
But that shouldn’t stop the Gunners’ hierarchy from returning to try and secure the goalkeeper’s services, with the club destined to be left vulnerable if Leno was to pick up an injury later in the season, with untested Matt Macey the only other option to fill in if needed.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
