Christmas is only 11 days away but Arsenal fans will be hoping to receive a late gift when the January transfer window opens in just over two weeks' time.
With the Gunners sitting top of the Premier League after 14 games, you wouldn’t necessarily think new signings would be at the top of Mikel Arteta’s to-do list. However, an injury to Gabriel Jesus which could keep him out for up to three months has seen the need for extra firepower increase significantly.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Shakhtar Donetsk forward Mykhaylo Mudryk is the club’s priority target this winter, with talks between club and the player's representatives taking place.
READ MORE: Arsenal squad additions to be confirmed this week as Mikel Arteta targets active January window
As a winger, Mudryk would not be viewed as a direct replacement for Jesus, although 10 goals and eight assists in 18 appearances this season certainly highlight the attacking threat he can bring to north London.
There have also been strong links to Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, who looks set to leave the Metropolitano Stadium after reportedly becoming unhappy there. Reports in Spain have claimed that Arsenal are the current frontrunners to secure his services, while a number of other teams monitor the situation closely.
Speaking to the media following Arsenal’s win over AC Milan in the Dubai Super Cup on Tuesday, Arteta was asked about plans for January and confirmed the club was actively looking to bolster his squad in what is a pivotal window for the Gunners.
“We are looking and we are very active looking at the possibilities”, he said. “If we can find the players that can strengthen the team we will try.”
With Arteta confirming the club’s intentions, football.london decided to look back at what happened the last time the Spaniard hinted at making new signings.
It goes back to the eve of transfer deadline day in the summer when Arteta spoke on potential additions in the 24 hours which followed. Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny were injured at the time, leaving Arsenal short in midfield.
“We are looking at options in the market. The club has been super supportive to improve the squad. If the right player is there and we can do it, we will try”, Arteta said at the time.
Arsenal certainly did just that, with it turning out to be a rather frantic deadline day for the now sporting director Edu after at least three bids were submitted and subsequently rejected for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, according to reports.
It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Arteta’s latest words turn out to be accurate either, with the Gunners on track to fulfil their objective of returning to the Champions League stage.
A five-point lead ahead of Manchester City has also seen them labelled as genuine title contenders, which will no doubt give the hierarchy an extra incentive to splash the cash next month, but hopefully this time they will be able to land their transfer targets.
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