The January transfer window is just around the corner and Arsenal may need to do some business that they weren’t expecting.
The injury to Gabriel Jesus is a major concern for Arsenal, who return to Premier League action sitting top of the table.
An attacking addition or two will surely be at the forefront of Edu and Mikel Arteta’s plans for the January window.
Fans will want to see business being done, especially with Arsenal now having dreams of winning the title.
With that in mind, here is our five-point plan for Arsenal’s upcoming January transfer window…
Sign Mykhaylo Mudryk
The long-standing rumour for Arsenal surrounds Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk. Linked ever since the summer, the winger has enhanced his reputation this season with some outstanding Champions League displays. The Athletic’s David Ornstein suggests that many in the game expect Arsenal to sign Mudryk and the player is determined to head to North London. With blistering pace and the end product to terrify defences, Mudryk would give Arsenal another dangerous attacking threat for years to come.
Make a decision on Reiss Nelson
Winger Reiss Nelson is out of contract at the end of the season and this is the time to make a decision on his future. The 23-year-old hasn’t quite lived up to his potential and this could be the time for Arsenal to either choose to sell or extend his contract. Arsenal may feel that they can’t afford to let him go amid concerns over numbers out wide, but they would surely hate to see him leave on a free transfer.
Consider a striker on loan
Gabriel Jesus will be out for around three months and that’s an enormous blow to Arsenal’s title hopes. Eddie Nketiah signed a new contract for situations exactly like this, but relying on him a potential title race may be a big ask. Arsenal should certainly consider loan options in attack and seemed to consider Atletico Madrid’s Matheus Cunha, but he looks poised to join Wolves. If a short-term striking solution materialises, Arsenal need to be willing to sign them as well as Mudryk in January.
Allow Cedric Soares to leave
Letting players go is never easy, especially when it’s a player like Cedric, who has been a solid team player in a couple of positions. The 31-year-old has only played 28 minutes of Premier League action this season and he simply needs to move on for regular playing time. Cedric still has 18 months left on his contract but he just isn’t going to play thanks to Takehiro Tomiyasu’s versatility and links to Fulham should end in a deal being done.
Forget about Youri Tielemans
We can understand why Arsenal may have looked at Youri Tielemans; the Leicester City ace is a proven Premier League midfielder and is now heading into the final six months of his contract. Yet it now feels like Tielemans would be an awkward fit in Arsenal’s midfield. Tielemans wouldn’t be a lone holding midfielder to cover for Thomas Partey and a role as a wide, advanced playmaker doesn’t really seem to suit him either. There are midfielders out there who suit Arsenal better, and the Gunners shouldn’t really be focusing on the Belgian in January.
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