Arsenal's transfer business in the January window has been far from what many would have wanted, with a clear desire to make additions to the squad amid a challenge for the Premier League title. That hasn't been the case so far though, with zero incomings so far.
The North London side will be hopeful there isn't a repeat of last January, where they failed to make any signings and eventually dropped out of the top four. On the other hand, they will be keen to stick by their transfer principles that have seen them reach the top, with a keen balance needed to the squad.
"We know where we are in terms of the squad and the numbers that we have so we’re going to be extremely cautious about what we are going to do in this window," Mikel Arteta said in a warning to the types of signings conducted over the coming month, with plenty of mistakes made in the winter window.
READ MORE: Full list of Arsenal's January transfer ins and outs as goalkeeper exit confirmed
While incomings will be viewed as a priority for supporters, the balance of squad is vital, with the summer seeing a whole host of squad players leaving. That trend could continue in the next few weeks, with Cedric Soares being one of those linked with an exit from the club.
football.london understands Fulham and Arsenal are currently in talks over a deal for the right-back, with a loan deal until the end of the season most likely at this stage. It is understood that Arteta is cautious over allowing Cedric to leave though as the 31-year-old is viewed as an important part of his squad.
The 31-year-old has made just four appearances across all competitions this season for the Gunners, having struggled with injuries and with the likes of Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of him in the pecking order. However, he has received praise for his professional conduct off the pitch.
“The competition is one (reason), the second one is because he was injured for a while and he had a recurring injury," Arteta told football.london when asked to explain his lack of game time. “Now he’s fit, and he’s a player who deserves to play. I want to give him the minutes because he deserves that.”
The right back spot is one that could see some activity as football.london understands Arsenal have held meetings with Ivan Fresneda's representatives. Meanwhile the Gunners are also working hard to ensure highly rated youngster Brooke Norton-Cuffy continues developing well after deciding to send him out on loan to Coventry for the remainder of the season following a change of manager at Rotherham where he had spent the first half of the campaign.
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