Mikel Arteta facing up to Arsenal transfer reality as January plans take shape
Mikel Arteta needs a reset to kickstart Arsenal’s season - but will have to do it without major funds or much of a break.
Arsenal ’s title challenge suffered a major setback as they managed to take just one point from a possible nine over the festive period. It exposed flaws and weaknesses in Arsenal’s squad that can easily be fixed with resting some weary legs and also freshening up with new faces.
Sadly for Arteta, January might not solve all their problems despite a winter break and the transfer window being open for business. Arsenal are planning to go to Dubai for a mini sunshine break after next Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie with Liverpool.
But the dates are likely to have to be a little bit flexible in case Arsenal end up getting a replay against Liverpool and have to go to Anfield for a second instalment of the blockbuster tie. Arteta now seems almost certain to put out a full strength team against Liverpool but Japan have asked for Takehiro Tomiyasu to join up for the Asia Cup this week.
They are hoping that Oleksandr Zinchenko’s calf injury is not too bad, Thomas Partey is on the way back from injury but Arsenal’s squad still looks thin and tired of the second half of the season. Arteta has taken the decision to take the players abroad rather than stay at home which means they will train in Dubai but families and loved ones are likely to be invited along. There will be plenty of down time.
Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured
Oleksandr Zinchenko is nursing a calf injury (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)What business should Arsenal look to do in January? Have your say in the comments below.
Clubs are not allowed to play matches or do commercial opportunities during the winter break and Arsenal certainly need a rest as they are showing major signs of fatigue. Arteta was publicly critical of Arsenal’s performance at Fulham - that is unusual for him - but did not tear into the players after the game as he was more just frustrated at the overall situation.
He also knows he is a demanding manager, the players are jaded and they have largely performed well all season despite some recent drop offs. Ben White has been playing with a niggle in recent weeks while Bukayo Saka has also been nursing a recurrent Achilles issue.
White, who is also having talks over a new deal, is suffering from a drop in form but with no back-up there is no chance of a rest. Fabio Vieira, Partey and Tomiyasu have all been out injured in recent weeks and that has put an extra strain on Arsenal’s squad while their lack of goals has only increased the calls for Arteta to sign a striker.
However, Arsenal are likely to be quiet in January largely because they have little scope to do business as they are up to their limit on spending on transfer fees and contracts. Arsenal are crying out for a striker. Talk about sharing goals around and not being reliant on one big centre forward would be all well and good if the forward line were chipping in with goals. But they are not.
Gabriel Jesus has got just three in the Premier League, Gabriel Martinelli just two and Bukayo Saka is top scorer with six. The figures add up to Arsenal not being as entertaining, attacking or fun to watch as last season. Arteta has tinkered and made them… well, rather dull.
They would have to offload one of their younger players like Eddie Nketiah or Emile Smith Rowe to raise funds for this window and that would seem unlikely even if they do want a new striker as one of their priorities for the long term. Arsenal are admirers of Brentford’s Ivan Toney but that is unlikely to happen in January as his club do not want to sell mid-season as they also face losing players to AFCON duty.
That leaves Arsenal scouring for a back-up defender but, with Jurrien Timber coming back from injury, any deal is only likely to be a loan unless they do a big sale. It means that Arteta can only hope the winter break is as long as possible and helps to reset the hearts and minds in his squad to convince them they can finish the season and be title contenders.
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