Arsenal’s spent over £200 million in the summer transfer window. The Gunners signed Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber – before bringing David Raya in on an initial loan deal.
The Gunners are expected to activate their £30 million option to make Raya’s move to the Emirates Stadium permanent, with the Spaniard replacing Aaron Ramsdale as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
As a result, the Gunners are firmly entrenched in another Premier League title race, and are aiming to go one better than last season and lift their first domestic title for the first time since the 2003–04 Invincible season.
Arsenal’s
They have been increasingly cautious with their spending during the January transfer window to avoid getting too close to a potential punishment in the future, even though manager Mikel Arteta made no secret of the fact that injuries had left his side severely short in certain positions and even declared he was “open” to conducting business.
They have been linked to a number of players, including defenders, midfielders, and attackers who could all strengthen Arteta’s team. However, all indications now suggest that the club will wait until next summer to sign their main targets, and unless there is last-minute activity on deadline day, they won’t make any new additions by the end of the January transfer window.
Lucas Torreira (Uruguay)
As mentioned above the diminutive midfielder is on the verge of a move to Emirates.
He was superb for club side Sampdoria in Serie A last season, gaining attention not only for his ability on the ball but his tenacious nature and set-piece skills.
Russia’s Aleksandr Golovin
Golovin, like Torreira, is interested in a number of elite European clubs and hopes to be the feature player for the host country in Group A.
Chelsea has also been connected, but Juventus has reaffirmed their interest with CEO Beppe Marotta indicating there was a chance he may join them.
Mohamedah Harit Amine
The Schalke starlet, 20, is steadily improving in the Bundesliga having joined from Nantes last summer.
He was named the German league’s Rookie of the Month for December 2017 thanks to his stunning dribbling skills. He won three penalties last season driving forward from his attacking midfield role.
Portuguese Ruben Dias
Dias, 21, a former centre forward, has quickly gained notoriety this season with Benfica, jumping from being a rookie to a regular member of the first squad.
He was brought in to replace the departing Victor Lindelof, who signed with Manchester United. He now plays alongside his idol Luisao and takes great satisfaction in his tactical and technical abilities. In addition, he is a superb backline communicator.
Gelson Martins (Portugal)
More likely to start than Dias, Martins is a pacy forward who could terrorise defences and lay on chances for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Andre Silva.
Could he do a similar job for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette?
Benjamin Pavard (France)
The versatile defender can play in central defence or at right-back but seems more likely to be the latter in Russia for his nation, if he can get past Djibril Sidibe.
He’s a confident and progressive passer and marks opponents tightly when playing for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.
Steven N’Zonzi (France)
Premier League fans will remember the midfielder from his time with Blackburn and Stoke City but he’s stepped up a level with Sevilla.
Brilliant at picking the ball up off his defence and distributing simply and effectively, he could be just what Arsenal need right now to allow Aaron Ramsey more freedom.
William Ndidi from Nigeria
It’s only a matter of time until a larger team approaches Leicester City about signing the outstanding young defensive midfielder.
The Gunners, along with Liverpool, have been credited with interest and the tremendous tackler could have a big tournament in Russia for the Super Eagles.
Andrija Zivkovic (Serbia)
The Benfica starlet, a local teammate of Ruben Dias, is a player to watch for his country at the 2018 World Cup. The 21-year-old is making an impression as a central midfielder, on the left of a three, after emerging as a winger.
If Serbia got out to a quick start, he and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic may do well together.
Swedish-born Emil Forsberg
The RB Leipzig star hasn’t been able to replicate his incredible form from 2016–17, when he scored eight goals and created 19 in the Bundesliga, since he lost out on a transfer last summer.
The midfield player is still being linked to Arsenal, although it’s unclear if director of recruiting Sven Mislintat has him on his wish list.
German Julian Draxler
The Paris Saint-Germain player, who has been virtually inextricably connected to the Gunners since leaving Schalke, might try to make an impression and land a summer transfer to Russia. If he does, Arsenal will probably keep a tight eye on things.
Belgium’s Marouane Fellaini
This summer, Unai Emery has been connected to a move for Manchester United’s Belgian midfield player, which is one of the most surprising reports to date.
Can he show supporters that he was a wise addition by putting on some impressive performances in Russia?
January window: new hires
Both supporters and commentators have questioned Arsenal’s lack of a striker who can score 25 goals a season because neither Eddie Nketiah nor Gabriel Jesus are thought to be sufficiently prolific or reliable in the goal.
Consequently, players like Dusan Vlahovic, Victor Osimhen, and Ivan Toney have been connected to Arsenal. To partner with Rice in the middle of the park, Mikel Arteta is also considering a new defensive midfield option as concerns about the futures of Thomas Partey, Jorginho, and Mohamed Elneny grow.
Having said all of that, the Gunners have not yet added to their roster during the winter transfer window; Marquinhos’ return from his loan at Nantes is the lone new arrival thus far.
Departures summer window
Arsenal must sell to raise funds, and this is where Arteta could be ruthless, and will look to move on some financial assets to allow the club some monetary freedom to invest.
Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, Aaron Ramsdale and Cedric Soares could all be put up for sale. Emile Smith Rowe could also be thrown into the mix, having not featured much in the Spaniard’s plans this season. Three of the aforementioned quintet on the chopping block are Hale End graduates, so they present very nicely on the accounting sheets in terms of pure profit.
