This blog is all about what players Arsenal are linked with during the January transfer window and how they could improve the team, I will also be including who I believe we should sign and reasons why.
Here’s a list of players who are strongly linked with moves to Arsenal:
Jerome Boateng
Bild claim that Bayern would be willing to sanction the centre backs move to Arsenal for free, if we were willing to pay his £196,000 a week wages. However there are other reports saying that the German champions would only consider letting the 31 year old leave if a suitable offer comes in. This is mainly down to the fact that Bayern have a lot of injuries in defence with Lucas Hernandez out for longer than they expected, therefore would only sell Boateng for £12.8 million.
My thoughts about this potential signing: I think we should steer clear of making this signing even if the reports at Bild are true and we would only need to pay his wages, as we have seen in the past with Sokratis and David Luiz that older centre backs on high wages are not always the answer. There is no question that Boateng once was an outstanding centre back, however after the last couple of seasons being littered with injuries and Jerome not seeming to be the same player as he was, I think the fast pace of the Premier League would not suit his attributes. However, with the news of Chambers being out for so long it might force Arsenal’s hand into making this signing.
Thomas Lemar
Reports claim that Arsenal are the front runners to sign the French international, however any deal in January would be an initial loan for the rest of the season with the view to make it permanent in the summer. The fee would reportedly be significantly less than the £52 million Atletico paid for the winger 18 months ago due to him not being able to flourish in Simeone’s defensive system.
My thoughts about this potential signing: I think that this would be a good signing, but only at the correct price. An initial loan with a option to buy for around the £35 million mark next summer would be a good piece of business in my opinion. Lemar would bring much more balance to the Arsenal attack as a natural left winger and would allow Aubameyang to move central where he is undoubtably more effective. He definitely has talent which was showcased at Monaco and occasionally for France and with the correct system, which I think Arteta is in the process of implementing, he would be a huge success. Also, being 24 years old he still has time to develop into a class winger as long as he is played in an attacking system which we have.
Max Aarons
According to multiple sources, including the Daily Mail, Arsenal are concerned that Hector Bellerin is not the same player since returning from his ACL injury nearly 12 months ago and have now targeted Aarons as a potential replacement. A fee of £30 million would be enough to get a deal done for the 20 year old, however various reports are claiming that the young right back would return to Norwich on loan for the remainder of the season.
My thoughts about this potential signing: This would be a great signing for Arsenal, the young right back has a lot of potential and already has a good amount of Championship and Premier League experience for his age. He has good pace and is equally as effective at defending as he is going forward. Last season he managed to notch 2 goals and 6 assists in the Championship which is an impressive return for someone so young. Also, I think he would slot into the right back position well and would thrive under Arteta’s system which sees the fullbacks get involved a lot and at times come inside to the central midfield position. Not only this, but he fits into the new philosophy at the club and would work tirelessly every game and suit our new high intensity, high press style.
Hakim Ziyech
According to the Mirror, Ajax will allow the 26 year old to leave the club in January if a suitable offer is made. They value him around the £43 million mark, with multiple clubs including Arsenal very interested. Ziyech was a key part of Ajax reaching the semi-finals of the Champions league last season as he finished the campaign with 21 goals and 18 assists across all competitions.
My thoughts about this potential signing: I feel this would be a very good signing for Arsenal as he has proved what a top player he is throughout the Champions League for the last two seasons and has displayed his creative abilities. With Mesut Ozil not getting any younger I think this would be a shrewd signing for us and the fact that he has previously said that he would love to play for Arsenal is a plus. Not only this, but our lack of goals coming from the midfield is a concern, especially now that Aaron Ramsey has left the club and Ziyech definitely has an eye for goal and can ease the burden on Aubameyang and Lacazette’s shoulders. Overall I think this is a signing we should definitely try to get over the line as long as it doesn’t come at the cost of not signing a centre back.
Who I think Arsenal should sign this January:
In this section I will be looking at players who I feel Arsenal need to sign this January in order to become more competitive for the second half of the season and in the future.
Dayot Upamecano
In my opinion this is the central defender Arsenal should go all out to sign as he has all the attributes needed to reach the very top and being only 21 years of age his potential is frightening. He has speed for someone with such a big frame, his strength is outstanding and helps with his style of play a lot meaning he is able to bully any kind of striker which is in front of him, his ability on the ball is decent and is something that Arteta would easily be able to improve. Not only this, but his decision making for someone so young is very impressive as when I’ve watched him over the last year he seems to know when the time to pass it out of the back is and when to get rid, something that is important for a defender. Overall, in my opinion Upamecano is still a raw talent, but has potential with a very high ceiling and in the correct hands could become one of the worlds best by the time he is in his prime, therefore I think the £40 million price tag Leipzig have put on him due to his contract expiring next season is worth it.
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey would be a great addition to the Arsenal midfield due to his ability to cover lots of ground around the middle of the pitch along with his tenacity to win the ball back cleanly and start counter attacks. This would suit Arteta’s new philosophy as we are now pressing the opposition high up the pitch and with Partey’s natural stamina he would have no problems in getting up to speed with this. Not only this, but Arteta’s style is based off quick passing and moving football which could see Partey get further forward if he has Torreira along side him as we have previously seen some excellent long range goals by him. Last season he managed to get 4 goals and 5 assists which is very good considering the defensive nature of the system he is in at Atleltico Madrid. Overall, considering Madrid only want £43 million for Partey I see this as a no brainier.
Alessandro Florenzi
Florenzi would be a brilliant addition to the right back position as he is 28 years old, in his prime, and has a lot of International and Champions League experience along with a lot of leadership qualities. We quite often lack leadership at the back and the fact that Florenzi is a captain will hopefully help patch up our leaky defence. He is valued at £18 million which is a very reasonable price and would definitely create good competition for Bellerin and bring some more experience to the team.
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James Humphreys
Gunners Daily 