Mikel Arteta has experienced a rocky start to life as Arsenal manager and although he already has trophies in the cabinet from his short stint in the hot seat at the Emirates, he’s had his fair share of disappointing results along the way as well.
However, he doesn’t seem to be the kind of manager who is just going to sit there and accept mediocrity. In fact, his acts as Arsenal manager so far have proven fairly ruthless when it comes to leaving star names out of his squad altogether.
Mesut Ozil wasn’t even registered as a player in the Premier League and Europa League squad this season and has reportedly had his contract mutually terminated to force through a move to Fenerbache this January. He is not the only one that is moving around when it comes to Arsenal’s transfer business this month with Sead Kolasinac moving to Schalke on loan for the remainder of the season.
As stripping down of the squad well underway at Arsenal, we might even see some movement inwards, with Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard signing a loan deal with Arsenal till the summer. Given the fact that reinforcements are necessary at the Emirates, let’s take a look at some names that could be making the Emirates their new home in the coming months.
Jordan Amavi
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club were looking to sign a left-back before the transfer window ends and according to L’Equipe via Metro, Arsenal have identified Marseille full-back Jordan Amavi as the ideal option to replace Kolasinac. Amavi has Premier League experience having played for Aston Villa in the 15/16 season.
The 26-year-old defender has been a regular for Marseille this season before he suffered a torn muscle in December, which has kept him out ever since. The Frenchman’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season with no talks for a new deal being held between the player and the club.
With Kieran Tierney being the only recognised left-back in the squad, the Gunners have identified the position as one that they want to fill in this current transfer window to bring in some cover for the Scottish international. Arsenal has also been linked to Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand and Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace.
Freddie Woodman
Perhaps not quite well known as Martin Odegaard, Freddie Woodman is just as big a transfer target for the Gunners as the Norweigan international. Mikel Arteta has already confirmed that he is in the market for a back-up goalkeeper this January, and it is believed that Arsenal have long held an interest in the Newcastle United shot-stopper, who is currently on-loan at Swansea City.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Barcelona’s Neto, but Barca boss Ronald Koeman announced that he wasn’t for sale and quickly put those rumours to bed. Instead, Woodman could be next on the list as Arsenal search for a keeper who already has experience of English football.
👋 Welcome to The Arsenal, @MatyRyan!
The @Socceroos keeper joins us on loan from @OfficialBHAFC until the end of the season 🤝
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 22, 2021
However, Arsenal signed Matt Ryan on loan from Brighton until the end of the season last week and seem to have filled their immediate quota for a back-up goalkeeper. Therefore, the priority to sign Freddie Woodman may have subsided for now but Arsenal might go back for him in the summer as a long-term replacement.
Emi Buendia
With Mikel Arteta openly targeting a move for midfielders this January, they have been strongly linked with Norwich City’s Emi Buendia, who remains the number one target for Arsenal in the January transfer window, despite signing Odegaard from Real Madrid.
There has been no formal offer from the North London outfit, but Norwich boss Daniel Farke denied ruling the transfer out, only saying that it would be more likely to happen in the summer rather than the current window. Reports also suggest that the player is happy at Norwich and will be keener on making the switch to the Emirates at the end of the season.
Premier League Betting
As things stand, Arsenal are some way off the pace in the Premier League at 10th place and the current in-play outright betting at Oddsmanager doesn’t really give them a chance of winning it this year at odds of 400/1.
Instead, their old rivals Manchester United are currently setting the pace at the top end of the table standing 2nd and are priced at 6/1 to win the Premier League this term. However, Manchester City have a game in hand and are in the midst of an unbeaten run, so the bookies have them priced up as favourites for the title at 1/2, with current champs Liverpool out to 9/2.
