Arsenal January transfer window guide: Gunners ready for opportunities amid injury problems | OneFootball

Gunners open to deal that could strengthen Premier League title bid

Arsenal could be in the market for a new signing in January

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Arsenal are still challenging on all fronts heading into the second half of the season.

Mikel Arteta's side sit of the table in the Premier League and Champions League, and have a Carabao Cup semi-final to look forward to.

A big summer of spending means Arsenal have an incredibly deep squad, but injuries continue to test that.

Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber have picked up issues, while Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera are already out and Kai Havertz has not played since the opening weekend of the season.

Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are the latest Arsenal players struck down by injury

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January is not expected to be a busy month for the Gunners, but Arteta has suggested the club will be ready to react to opportunities.

Keeping everyone fit is the real priority. When Arteta has his full squad available to him, there are no weaknesses.

If Arsenal were to dip into the transfer window in January, defensive reinforcements would likely have to be the focus.

White and Timber's fitness issues have left the Gunners short at right-back, with Declan Rice having to fill in on Saturday.

For all the efforts that have gone into bolstering the defensive strength in depth, injuries have still left Arsenal light at full-back.

What else they need

Longer term, a world-class left winger would provide some balance to Bukayo Saka's threat on the right.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli both have spells of threatening form, but neither have maintained that over significant periods of a season.

Arsenal could in the future seek a top-class left winger to provide balance to Bukayo Saka's threat on the right

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A forward addition is unlikely to come in January but could be something to keep an eye on heading into next summer.

The Gunners could also potentially look for more competition for Viktor Gyokeres depending on outgoings.

Possible ins

Antoine Semenyo has been linked with all of the Premier League's top clubs.

He is an Arsenal fan and the club are admirers of the Bournemouth winger, but a January move is not viewed as realistic and Manchester City are now said to be his preferred destination.

Reports have linked Arsenal with a move for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.

Arsenal have been linked with Jeremy Jacquet

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But they would face stiff competition for the 20-year-old, with Real Madrid among the clubs closely monitoring him.

Possible outs

Gabriel Jesus was one player who it appeared could realistically leave in January, but that now appears unlikely.

The Brazilian has returned from injury with several sharp cameos and Arteta had dismissed the possibility of him leaving next month.

There has been some talk of Ethan Nwaneri leaving on loan, with the 18-year-old having only started three matches this season.

Arsenal have been careful with his development up to this point and a permanent exit will not be sanctioned, but a loan until the end of the campaign could emerge as a possibility.