January transfer window crucial for maintaining Arsenal’s title charge

Arsenal sit pretty at the top of the Premier League having enjoyed their best start to a season since the 2007/08 campaign. Mikel Arteta‘s side have picked up 27 points out of a possible 30 on offer having won nine of their opening ten games with their only blip coming against United at Old Trafford and even then they were unlucky to not walk away with the points. Focus has now shifted away from a top four place to a fully-fledged title challenge. Only six teams in Premier League history have enjoyed a better start and this side has seen the feel-good factor return to the Emirates this year as the Spaniard has reaped the rewards of his well thought out transfer policy.

The Gunners have spent big since Arteta’s arrival with a total just shy of £350million dating back to 2019 but crucially the outgoings have been focused on bringing in youth that the Arsenal boss can develop under his own system and style of football. There were turbulent times in his tenure but it seems that things are finally clicking. His squad’s average age comes in at 24 years and 191 days but are still showing maturity and calmness beyond their years; the thought of what they could do in a few years’ time under the 40-year-old’s watchful eye will be a concern for the chasing pack. In the meantime though, many have questioned whether this inexperienced side, who haven’t been involved in a title race in years, can sustain the pressure at the top. Fans looking to bet on Arsenal to finish top come the end of the season should be looking for the best betting bonuses when they do. They brought in five new faces to the Emirates this summer but with a perceived lack of depth in key areas the North London outfit could do with one or two more prudent purchases to bolster their ranks ahead of a tense title race post-World Cup. Here’s a few names who could be on the Gunners’ watchlist come January.

Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk

Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have both made excellent starts to the league campaign and have provided most of the impetus going forward for the Gunners so far this season. However Arteta will look to strengthen his frontline further still to provide some backup should they fall to injury and one such option is an explosive winger in Mudryk. The 21-year-old is in great form with three goals and five assists from his opening nine games and has already talked up the idea of joining the North London club. But they will have to fight off the likes of Newcastle and Brentford who have expressed their interest. Arsenal are at the front of the queue for Mudryk’s signature and will be looking at a fee in excess of £40million if they want to secure the Ukranian’s services.

Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven

Arsenal reportedly reignited their interest in Gakpo in the final hours of the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League for some time now and Edu was said to be preparing a last push for the winger. Everton, Leeds United and Southampton are believed to be the other candidates in the race for Gakpo with the Saints the only club who made a concrete approach for the Netherlands international, but PSV turned down their offer. Gakpo would be an excellent addition in January with 34 goal contributions across all tournaments last season and an impressive haul of 12 goals and eight assists already this campaign. However, with the World Cup around the corner, the Dutchman’s asking price could rocket accordingly.

Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa

The North London club attempted to prise the 24-year-old away from the Midlands outfit on deadline day in the previous transfer window but were ultimately unsuccessful in their pursuit of his signature. But now Douglas Luiz entered the final year of his contract at Villa Park Arteta might go back for one more bite of the cherry. Luiz has scored 15 goals in 118 appearances for Villa since arriving from Manchester City back in 2019, gaining plenty of Premier League experience in that time. Once Arsenal became aware that Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey would be missing for a considerable amount of time due to injury, Edu decided to move in for Luiz. Arsenal could either attempt to sign the £25million-rated man for a cut-price fee in January or wait to sign him on a free in 12 months but if the Spaniard’s squad is depleted heading into the second half of the season then he might be left with few alternatives.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent years, with Manchester United often said to be monitoring his situation. Lazio were hoping to sell the Serbia international to either Arsenal or United for a fee between £46million and £50million this summer but fell short of the mark. With Elneny and Partey out injured as it stands, and a relatively small selection of top class midfielders to choose from, another wave of injuries close to January could reignite Arsenal’s interest and the 27-year-old Serbian would be a superb addition.

Danilo from Palmeiras

Arsenal were looking for midfield options late in the window, including Danilo. The Brazilian midfielder, however, proved to be too difficult a deal to pull off in the final hours but that’s not to say the Gunners’ interest has dampened. Arsenal could re-emerge as suitors for the player this coming January. Palmeiras’ resistance to a sale this summer is expected to soften having finished their commitments in the Copa Libertadores and when they will be able to find a replacement. The 21-year-old suits the profile of player that Mikel Arteta is looking for and with seven goals so far in 2022, he provides an additional asset that was lacking, particularly last season, for the Gunners. Progressive and great with the ball at his feet, he would be a valuable asset at the Emirates.

Pedro Neto from Wolves

Neto was also heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer but, in fairness, an exit from Molineux always looked unlikely. So, if a deal can be reached in January, it’d be a huge signing.

The Gunners had little chance of prising the 22-year-old away from Wolves, with Bruno Lage’s side extremely keen to keep the forward at the club for at least one more season with the West Midlands club having set an asking price of £50million for the Portuguese star. But given Arsenal’s recent spending habits it would hardly be a surprise if they were to acquire the Portuguese star come January.