Speaking on the Ornstein & Chapman Podcast, David Ornstein has shared the details of some of Arsenal’s January transfer plans.
The journalist has long-been the go-to guy when it comes to transfer news coming out of the Emirates, and now more than ever, Arsenal need some players through the door.
Ornstein claims that Arsenal planned to bring in a new defender and a creative midfielder next summer, but now he says that they’re going to try to bring those plans forward for January in order to counteract what is increasingly looking like a relegation battle for the Gunners.
“In an ideal world, Arsenal would have planned around the summer of 2021, bringing in a creative player to replace the outgoing Mesut Ozil when his contract expires, bringing in a right-sided central defender, because they will have up to three leaving in David Luiz, Sokratis and Mustafi, all of who’s contract expires,” Ornstein said.
“That would have been their hope, those two main positions, given what’s happening now, they’re trying to escalate some of those plans, mainly around the lack of creativity, within that Szoboszlai was a consideration.”
More creativity and a centre-back to partner Gabriel may be just what the doctor ordered at Arsenal.
The Gunners aren’t creating enough chances, that’s undeniable, but their lack of stability when it comes to a centre-back pairing is also concerning.
Whether or not they have the funds to sign the right calibre of player in these positions in January of course remains to be seen, let’s not forget that this is a club that laid off over 50 staff members this summer, while Mesut Ozil had to pay the wages of Gunnersaurus.
Arsenal are in a dire situation, and signings are certainly one way for them to turn things around.
Let’s hope that Edu and Arteta have something up their sleeves in January.
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