Five players who could join Arsenal in January

Arsenal have several areas of the squad that need to be

Mikel Arteta and former sporting director Edu failed to adequately reinforce Arsenal’s wide options in the summer. Despite signing Raheem Sterling on loan, Arsenal are still lacking proper cover for Bukayo Saka.

Moreover, Arsenal did not manage to sign a defensive midfielder as they had initially intended to, instead settling on Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, who at 28 years of age was a somewhat unusual transfer. A striker also did not arrive after Benjamin Sesko snubbed the Gunners.

Finally, the goalkeeper position gave the club headaches until Deadline Day. With Aaron Ramsdale having departed for Southampton, a new No.2 had to be signed but Arsenal failed to land top target Joan Garcia. They ultimately had to settle for 35-year-old Neto, who joined on loan from Bournemouth and is not a long-term option.

Despite all of the above, it will likely be a quiet January window for the Gunners as it would take some financial effort to lure their top targets away from their respective clubs mid-season. Still, there could be some movement in north London.

Below, FootballTransfers looks at five players Arsenal could sign in January…

Mart Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)

It is no secret that Mikel Arteta loves his fellow Basque Martin Zubimendi. The Real Sociedad star has been on Arsenal’s radar for years and the Gunners previously tried their luck.

The problem they – and Liverpool – have faced, however, is that Zubimendi has as yet shown no desire to leave his boyhood club. The hardest part of any potential deal is convincing the midfielder to make the move.

Zubimendi’s €60 million release clause would make a transfer relatively straightforward, but the love for his Real has meant that no club has been able to lure him away. Could Arsenal finally manage it in January

Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund)

Arsenal are one of many clubs keeping tabs on Jamie Gittens’ development at Borussia Dortmund. The Englishman is belatedly enjoying a real breakout season and this is making him increasingly attractive.

The winger has for years been tipped for greatness but it has only really clicked for him this term in large part also because he has been relatively injury-free.

Dortmund know that they have a potential gem on their hands and will play hardball over his future, with some suggesting that the7y could demand as much as €100m for him. Arsenal won’t cough up that much in January, but perhaps they can negotiate a cheaper deal.