To the surprise of many, Arsenal have so far been the team to beat in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, and the Gunners are currently top of the table, with their closest rivals, Manchester City, two points behind them.
However, the question mark that remains is whether or not Mikel Arteta’s side have the depth needed to sustain their title challenge. The good news for Arsenal fans is that, with the January transfer window fast approaching, the club appear to be keen to bolster the squad.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has said that: “I’m told they are not finished – they want to keep building, and to keep fighting for the Premier League”, with a midfielder, as well as a winger, topping their priority list.
Arsenal Want to Strengthen in January Transfer Window
🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨
Arsenal 'remain interested' in signing Mykhaylo Mudryk after following him for a long time, says @FabrizioRomano 🔴 🇺🇦
His value has risen to €60-65m ahead of January 💰
Full story 👇👇
— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) November 6, 2022
Bolstering the Midfield
Whilst Thomas Partey is a fantastic player, he has shown throughout his time at Arsenal that he is incredibly injury-prone, particularly towards the latter stages of the season. The 29-year-old’s absence from the side at the end of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign undoubtedly played a role in the Gunners missing out on a coveted fourth-placed finish.
It is therefore no surprise that the club had plans to add depth in that position, with Romano also stating that: “They wanted a midfielder in the summer, though a deal for Douglas Luiz was not possible.”
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The door has now been completely shut on that possible transfer, with the Brazilian signing a new contract at Aston Villa, and Arsenal will need to turn to alternatives should they sign a midfielder in January.
✅ After 150 games in charge, Mikel Arteta has won 89 of them. The most by any manager in the history of the club. pic.twitter.com/y9OkCz0c31
— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) November 6, 2022
Competition for Gabriel Martinelli
In Reiss Nelson and summer signing Marquinhos, Arsenal have multiple options at right wing should Bukayo Saka suffer an injury. Fabio Vieira has also shown that he too can be used in this role if needed.
However, with Emile Smith Rowe out until after the upcoming World Cup, as well as the Englishman not being a natural winger, the Gunners lack real competition for Martinelli’s starting spot in the side.
Mikel Arteta appears to be keen to resolve this issue, with Romano going on to say that the Gunners “also wanted a winger, Raphinha was the dream, but it was not possible. They also had positive talks over Mykhaylo Mudryk but he was too expensive, and even more now.”
Mudryk, in particular, operates predominantly on the left wing and would provide both quality and depth in that position. However, with Romano acknowledging that Arsenal may be priced out of a move for the Ukrainian, it is unclear whether or not the Gunners would be able to get that deal over the line.
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One thing is for sure though, and in the words of Fabrizio Romano, “Arsenal will be busy in the next weeks and months.”
