Mikel Arteta Unveils Dream Arsenal Lineup After Securing January Transfers
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has boosted his squad in the January transfer window, but the Gunners may still have to act in the summer after missing out on some high-profile targets.
Last year at this time, Arsenal failed to open their chequebook, and their hopes of returning to the Champions League were dashed in the closing weeks of the season.
The Gunners were never going to repeat that strategy in the 2023 January transfer window, especially given their current five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
What’s trending
- Kenya Pipeline Volleyball Team Set for Title Defense in Uganda
- Martha Karua’s NARC-Kenya rebrands to People’s Liberation Party
- Bobi Wine’s Party Reports Police Raid, Claims Spy Devices Installed
- Gachagua: Ruto is in a Gold Business With RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo
- Khalwale Bows to Pressure, Moves to Withdraw Motorcycle Bill
Mikel Arteta intimated earlier this month that money were open for Arsenal to strengthen after spending more than £100 million for the second summer in a row. While the Londoners appear to be significantly stronger than when the domestic campaign commenced on Boxing Day, they have also missed out on several key targets.
Mykhaylo Mudryk of Shakhtar Donetsk was the Gunners’ top target before the transfer market opened, but he was outbid by Chelsea, who stepped in to secure a deal. Arsenal also made two bids for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo but were unable to persuade the Seagulls to sell the Ecuador international.
The Gunners did manage to complete three permanent transfers before Tuesday night’s 11 p.m. deadline: Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior, and Jorginho all arrived at the Emirates.
However, Arteta and Edu may do more business in the summer after keeping a large portion of the monstrous transfer fees they were willing to pay for Mudryk and Caicedo.
Jorginho may have joined Arsenal from Chelsea on deadline day, but Arteta is still expected to sign a world-class midfielder in the summer.
West Ham captain Declan Rice is one player who would suit the bill: he is poised to depart his boyhood club in the summer, with Arsenal emerging as the main contender in recent weeks.
The Hammers are expected to seek up to £100 million for his talents, which is more than Arsenal offered for Caicedo in the dying days of the January transfer window.
However, the Gunners may be able to bankroll a move for the 24-year-old, who would be the ideal long-term successor to Thomas Partey, with the money they would earn by qualifying for next year’s Champions League, which appears to be a fait conclusion at this point.
It’s unclear where Caicedo would stand if Arsenal decides to pursue Rice after the season – it’s unlikely the Gunners would try to sign both after signing Jorginho, although Arteta would like to team them up in a dream world. Another long-term objective, Youri Tielemans, will be a free agent this summer.
If Trossard fails to make the required effect at the Emirates in the coming months, the Spaniard might revive his hunt for attackers after missing out on Mudryk, but with new deals for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka in the works, he could also elect to keep his powder dry.
Ben White has made the right-back position his own this season, but the Gunners could make a summer bid for 18-year-old Real Valladoid youngster Ivan Fresneda after failing to sign him in January.
Along with White, Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Oleksandr Zinchenko have constructed a good defensive foundation this season and are well established at the club.
Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Jesus have all played important roles in Arsenal’s amazing season and are expected to play significant roles again next season regardless of any further transfer action.
Ramsdale, Fresneda, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Caicedo, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Jesus may be a fantasy Arsenal line-up for 2023-24.
