Arsenal are looking for the ‘right fit’ in central midfield and will not look to bring in additional bodies in the engine room ‘just for the sake of it’, transfer insider Dean Jones has informed GIVEMESPORT.
Mikel Arteta has been hard at work in the January window, identifying several targets that could bolster the Gunners’ bid for Premier League glory.
Arsenal Transfer News
Arsenal have already confirmed one addition to their squad this window, bringing in Leandro Trossard from Brighton & Hove Albion for £21 million plus add-ons.
The Gunners are also in the market for several other signing this window. The Mirror report that Spezia ace Jakub Kiwior, who has been heavily linked with a move to North London, was spotted in the stands at the Emirates Stadium during their 3-2 victory over Manchester United as he closes in on a move.
Of course, the central midfield area has been a position light on numbers which Arsenal are looking to bolster. Besides Kiwior, who is capable of playing in a defensive midfield role, the Gunners have also been linked with an ambitious loan move for Real Madrid man Eduardo Camavinga, according to the Evening Standard.
It is not yet clear whether the La Liga giants would sanction a move; however, Arsenal are mooted to be keen on his services. The summer transfer window could also be an interesting one for the Premier League leaders, with both Declan Rice and Youri Tielemans said to be long-term targets at the Emirates.
What has Dean Jones said about Arsenal’s transfer activity?
Transfer insider Jones believes that although there will be concern over the lack of numbers Arsenal have to pick from in midfield, they will only enter the market for the ‘right fit’ this month.
Jones told GMS: “There is concern at Arsenal and there has been since the start of the season. What if we end up with an absence in the centre of midfield?
“There have been times when it’s happened, and it hasn’t been ideal for them, but they ultimately got through it and they’re still top of the league. They would like the right fit, again, they’re not going to go and sign someone just for the sake of it.”
Do Arsenal need to sign another midfielder this month?
Ideally, you would think Arsenal would look to acquire another body in midfield in January, even on a loan basis, between now and the end of 2022/23.
Currently, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Oleksandr Zinchenko are their natural options to choose from in the middle of the park.
Fabio Vieira, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith-Rowe are also capable of being deployed in the role if needed, though would prefer to play slightly higher up the field.
Having one more rotational option would make sense; however, there would be no point in just acquiring somebody purely to make up the numbers at the Emirates.
Arsenal have already successfully dealt with injury concerns and a tough run of fixtures this season, which has given them a five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table. Moving forward, Gunners boss Arteta should look to bring in a young player with the potential to stake a claim for the first team in the coming years.
Spezia man Kiwior looks to be the most likely bet to provide that function. Should he complete a move to the Emirates, the 22-year-old will give Ghana international Partey some competition in the holding role while also being another option at centre-back for the remainder of the campaign.
