Former USMNT international goalkeeper Brad Friedel has warned Arsenal that it could take January transfer target Facundo Torres some time to adjust to the Premier League. The Orlando City winger has continued to be linked with a switch to north London as one of a few potential reinforcements in the winter window.
The Gunners could need a number of signings to help them achieve an unlikely Premier League title triumph, currently sitting top of the table at the mid-season break. They hold a five point gap over Manchester City for the next month, leading to Mikel Arteta conceding that his side are in the mix for the title.
However, with the hugely congested fixture schedule between them and lifting the trophy, signings may be necessary after the manager claimed he had a light squad. "That’s the squad that we have and we have to try to utilise the squad in the best possible way," the Spaniard said.
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“We know where we are and we knew the moment we had certain injuries that the squad is already very, very short." It could lead to a request from Arteta to make further signings after reports suggested that plans were being finalised over the business that will be conducted.
One of the players that has been linked is Orlando City forward Torres, who has impressed in the MLS and would offer depth in the wide areas. However in an interview with Betway, former goalkeeper Friedel has warned that it could take him time to adjust to the league.
"I've seen a lot of Torres," Friedel claimed. "He's very good in the attacking third, but he's not very big in stature. Mikel Arteta has done a really good job in the transfer market and he's got rid of players who don't fit the style.
"Torres does have a lot of end product but I think it'd take a lot of time for him to get up to speed and physicality of the Premier League. The MLS is very back and forth a lot of the time, so I don't know if he'd be an immediate starter but he's a talented boy that's for sure."
While the youngster will fit the type of player that the Gunners are eyeing, perhaps the lack of an immediate impact could hamper their chances of winning the title. This has been seen with a signing like Marquinhos in the summer, who doesn't appear quite ready for first-team minutes at this stage, but will be hoping to develop into a player that will start in the future.
It remains to be seen if that would be something that puts new sporting director Edu Gaspar off of making a move in January and switching towards having players ready made for the Premier League.
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