The Gunners did not intend to sign any players through the winter window, but their real need for creativity may have just changed things.
When Arsenal signed Thomas Partey on the final day of the summer transfer window, the plan was for the checkbook to remain closed until the end of the 2020-21 season.
The addition of the midfielder, along with the previous catches of Gabriel Magalhaes in the middle and wide receiver Willian, was seen to ensure that Mikel Arteta’s side would be able to compete for that precious rectangular spot in the Premier League.
However, the clock ticks a few months and the Champions League certification looks like a remote opportunity. Partey has managed just four league starts and did not make it through to the second half in two of those incidents due to injuries.
The Ghana international is still lost with a thigh problem, and it will be 2021 before the fans come back in an Arsenal shirt again.
Without it, Arteta ‘s side suffers, lamenting in the wrong half of the table, with the focus now on moving away from the relegation zone rather than finishing in the top four.
So, could the Gunners be lured back to the market in January to boost the Arteta team?
If so, where would they be looking to strengthen, and would players have to be sold to make room for a new addition?
The most likely signs in January at Arsenal
If Arsenal made a move in January, there would be no doubt what kind of player they would want to bring in.
Lack of creativity in the third final has caused them real problems since the start of the campaign, with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette constantly stopping by with the right service.
Arteta hasn’t completely denied Mesut Ozil ‘s ability to recover from the cold and enroll in his Premier League squad for the second half of the season, but that still feels very unfortunate. similar.
So they could be looking forward quickly to their plans to add another attacking midfielder to their ranks, someone who can create from midfield pitches and connect for the attack.
“It’s absolutely clear what we need,” Edu’s technical director said earlier this month while speaking to fans at a fan forum. “We need a player with creativity at the center; we don’t have that in the squad right now. ”
Arsenal had a long-standing interest in Dominik Szoboszlai of Red Bull Salzburg, but the Hungarian international will be a RB Leipzig player once the winter window opens.
So the focus could fall again Houssem Aouar, the Lyon midfielder whom Arsenal tried to sign in the summer.
Aouar was expected to leave Groupama Stadium before the start of the season, with Juventus and Real Madrid also interested in his services, but Jean-Michel Aulas turned down all offers for the 22-year-old.
The Lyon president values Aouar at around £ 45 million ($ 61m) and has said the French international will not sell until the end of the season.
However, with French football tightening on the brink of a financial crisis as a result of the collapse of a broadcast contract with Mediapro, Aulas may be willing to do business with Arsenal.
Elsewhere, the Gunners have also taken a look at the Norwich City playmaker Emiliano Buendia in recent seasons, although no offer has ever been made, while Real Madrid appear Isco could be an attractive loan option in January.
There is also a new striker on the list, with Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard a player widely impressed by Arsenal.
Winter’s move is highly unlikely, however, with Arteta expected to wait until the summer before strengthening his attack, as Lacazette’s future will have to be sorted out first.
Arsenal appear to have dropped out in January
Arsenal’s hierarchy will once again hope to move some players forward once the winter window opens.
After failing to find clubs for unwanted stars in the summer, Arsenal were left with a squad in bloom that is so big that Ozil and Sokratis were not even registered to play in the Premier League or Europa League.
That has caused some confusion behind the scenes, something Arteta recognized earlier this month.
“With your current squad for multiple positions, it is impossible to have 31 happy players in the camp,” the Spaniard told reporters. “It’s impossible and I don’t know of any club in the world that has that.
“Of course when you lose, those things are going to come out to try to put more pressure on him and be upset. But I’m not interested in that.”
Arsenal will be hoping to find a catcher for Ozil in January, with clubs in the Middle East and the United States with an interest in the former German international. Ozil still wants, however, to see his contract out before he leaves in the summer.
Sead Kolasinac and Sokratis also free to leave, while William Saliba he is expected to be allowed to go out on loan to earn some game time.
A return to the former Saint-Etienne club is the most likely option for the teenage defender, although there is interest from other Ligue 1 clubs, as well as some in England.
Malcolm’s Rooms he may also get the green light to find a temporary home for the next six months to help with efforts to return to full well-being after a year-long injury.
As Arsenal appear after January
It is very likely that Arsenal will do any major business in January, with the major financial issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic still having a major impact in north London.
If there was an opportunity to make a deal for Aouar, they could take it, especially if owner Stan Kroenke is willing to put a big deal on a long – term target, as he did when Partey ‘s release clause was prompted. the last day of the summer window.
However, the most likely option is for the Gunners to try to get through to the end of the season with what they have before embarking on what could be a major revision of Arteta ‘s squad for the 2021-22 campaign.
The hope is that Partey will return from injury and make a big difference in midfield, and that Aubameyang will get his hunting boots again. More is expected from Willian after his free transfer from Chelsea.