Arsenal were not shy in splashing the cash last summer, forking out £208m on three players.
The addition of £105m Declan Rice has been particularly beneficial to Mikel Arteta, the most expensive English player of all time having helped stabilise the Gunners. As a result, they find themselves in the midst of yet another title race, while also having breezed through the Champions League group stage.
However, if they are to compete for domestic and European silverware, they may need some extra reinforcements in key areas of the pitch.
Here is where Arsenal could look to bolster this January.
Arsenal boast two fantastic centre-back options in Gabriel and, in particular, William Saliba. The duo have formed a wonderful partnership, one that has helped the Gunners compete for silverware.
However, beyond them there is little else. Jakub Kiwior is the next obvious option, but the Pole is some way off the level of the regular starters and could even be loaned out this winter. Jurrien Timber can feature at centre-back, but he’s been injured since the opening day of the season.
An injury to Saliba last season derailed Arsenal’s campaign. Arteta will want to ensure that lightning doesn’t strike twice.
Key targets
Arsenal were one of several clubs who attended Benfica’s clash with Sporting CP in November, with centre-backs Antonio Silva and Goncalo Inacio on show. The two young defenders have been subject to significant interest across Europe and the Gunners could do much worse than one of the Portuguese duo.
Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck has also been scouted by Arsenal, the German defender having thrived since moving to Signal Iduna Park back in 2022.
Arsenal do have a number of defensive midfield options, including the impressive Rice, but injuries in that area have proved frustrating for Arteta. Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny have missed large chunks of the season due to fitness concerns, while Jorginho is now 32-years-old and slowing down.
There is also the fact that Arsenal may ideally want to move Rice into a more advanced position either side of the holding midfielder, something the Gunners have experimented with in big games this term. To have the flexibility to do that, Arteta may need to bring in another elite defensive midfielder.
Key targets
Arsenal are one of a host of clubs pursuing Fluminense midfielder Andre. The Copa Libertadores winner has sparkled in Brazil and seems destined for a move to the Premier League this winter, but signing the 22-year-old won’t be straightforward given he’s a wanted man.
Another player that the north London club have scouted in recent weeks is Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. Having shone during the resurgence of the La Liga side, the holding midfielder is hot property and boasts a release clause of £43.6m.
Having confessed to being a striker that’s strongest attribute isn’t scoring goals, Gabriel Jesus has been a somewhat divisive figure for the Gunners. While adored by the Arsenal faithful for his unique skill set, there is the sense that his lack of ruthlessness could prove costly in the title race, especially up against Manchester City’s goalscoring machine Erling Haaland.
Eddie Nketiah is the player tasked with stepping in when the Brazilian is absent, as he has done on many occasions this season, but the Englishman, while capable in front of goal, is not a blockbuster centre-forward.
Key targets
Prolific Brentford forward Ivan Toney is one of the attackers on Arsenal’s radar, the Gunners even having held talks with the 27-year-old’s representatives. The Bees’ number nine will return from a lengthy ban in January and is ready to push for a winter transfer.
A more cost-effective alternative could be Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez, the Mexico international subject to scouting visits from Arsenal. Strongly linked with north London rivals Tottenham, the 22-year-old has racked up some impressive goalscoring numbers this season already.
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