5 players Arsenal could sign in January as Arteta eyes valuable squad boost
Arsenal demonstrated last season that January transfer business can benefit those towards the top of the Premier League table, but they will want to go one better than last season's second place finish.
The Gunners brought in Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho in January 2023 as they looked to solidify a title push. All three made varying degrees of impact, but it wasn't quite enough to deliver a first Premier League title in close to 20 years.
Arsenal are very much still in the title race this term, sitting a point off the summit after 12 matches. There are still areas where they may feel they need to strengthen, though, and Mirror Football has looked at five men who could help them do just that.
Ivan Toney
There's one obvious name at the top of the list. Toney will return from his ban in the second half of the season, and there will be no shortage of teams in the queue to land Brentford's top scorer from last season.
The England international scored 20 Premier League goals last season, more than any member of the Arsenal squad. While a betting ban means he hasn't featured this season, the Gunners aren't the only ones who may be prepared to take a risk over potential ring-rust.
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Then there's the fact that the player himself appears keen on a move. He spoke about a desire to play at "the top of the tree" during an appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast earlier this season, adding fuel to those Arsenal links.
Who should Arsenal sign in January? Have your say in the comments section
Ivan Toney will return from his ban in January (PA)"The manager knows that I want to play at the highest level possible and whenever that time comes, so be it," the 27-year-old said. "My time at Brentford has been probably the best of my career. The next club I go to will be the right club."
Douglas Luiz
Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is another player who has long been linked with an Arsenal move. The Gunners saw two bids knocked back in 2022, with the Brazilian later explaining his decision to stay at Villa Park.
"I love this club," Luiz said after signing a new Villa deal not long after. "This club opened the door for me when I came to England to play in the Premier League. I’m so happy because I’m staying here and my choice is here."
Douglas Luiz has been one of Aston Villa's star performers this season (Manjit Narotra/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)Arsenal undoubtedly remain keen on the Brazil international, who has kicked on even more under Unai Emery. He was named Villa's player of the month for October, and was named in Brazil's squad for their November double-header against Colombia and Argentina.
The biggest challenge for Arsenal will be convincing Luiz to leave the Midlands. Villa are understood to be unprepared to sell unless the player agitates for a move, and their Champions League push suggests such a thing is unlikely for the time being.
Martin Zubimendi
Real Sociedad star Zubimendi is another man whose name has regularly come up in connection with Arsenal. The Spanish international has a €60m (£52m) release clause, but convincing him to leave Anoeta is another matter.
Arsenal would need to convince Martin Zubimendi to make an early Real Sociedad exit (DAX Images/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)The 24-year-old has impressed as a deep-lying midfielder, helping La Real secure Champions League qualification with a fourth-place finish last term. They have already booked their place in the last 16 of the competition, too, and this may well leave a summer move as the more likely option as Zubimendi fulfils a desire to play knockout Champions League football for his hometown club.
Still, with questions over Jorginho's longer-term future, the addition of a player of Zubimendi's profile is something we can't rule out. It's just that it may have to wait a few months.
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Santiago Gimenez
Santiago Gimenez has kept up his form in front of goal (Peter Lous/Orange Pictures/REX/Shutterstock)Back to the striker market, and Gimenez's name is one which regularly comes up. The Mexico international helped Feyenoord win the Eredivisie last season and has been flying in front of goal this term.
A return of 13 goals in 12 league games is already frightening, while a double against Lazio in the Champions League leaves Arne Slot's side with a solid chance of reaching the knockout rounds. Arsenal aren't the only ones keen on the 22-year-old, with West Ham sniffing around after losing Gianluca Scamacca over the summer and Spurs also said to be keen.
While Arsenal would welcome more competition to help get the best out of starting number nine Gabriel Jesus, Feyenoord's stance makes things less easy. They have indicated they're in no mood to sell in January, while indicating the player is also happy in Rotterdam.
"A lot has happened [in regards to interest]. But Santiago has a good head and he has a great character," director Dennis te Kloese said in September. "If a big club came, he would say: 'This is not where I want to go, I don't want to leave yet. I first want to profile myself at Feyenoord and further develop at European level.'
Dusan Vlahovic
January links with Dusan Vlahovic are nothing new for Arsenal. They were keen on the Serbia striker in 2022, only for Juventus to enter the market and make his decision clear.
Arsenal looked at Dusan Vlahovic before he moved to Juventus (Marco Canoniero/REX/Shutterstock)Things have changed since then, though. Arsenal are now a Champions League team fighting for a domestic title, while Juve are out of Europe this term.
With Vlahovic failing to become the prolific striker the Bianconeri thought they were bringing in from Fiorentina, talk of an exit has grown. Reports in Italy suggest they could cash in, with Arsenal yet again mentioned as a potential suitor.
The price -tag question still remains, though. Vlahovic is unlikely to come cheap, and Arsenal may decide the money Juventus want is better spent on a forward with more Premier League experience.
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