Arsenal had a strong start to the summer transfer window, addressing both the forward and defensive positions, which clearly needed strengthening towards the back of last season. Despite a good summer window, more acquisitions are still needed in January.
The Gunners have been searching for a midfielder and a winger since the start of the season. The lack of options in the wide areas was clear in the first part of the campaign due to the heavy reliance on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, with at least one of the two starting in every game.
With Mikel Arteta's side currently topping the league table by five points, they will need to continue to push in order to stay above Manchester City. And they could get a major boost in doing this by using the January transfer window as an advantage and exploring Wilfried Zaha's contract situation.
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According to the Daily Mail, Wilfried Zaha could reject new contract talks and leave Crystal Palace in the upcoming transfer window. The winger is reportedly looking for a move to a top-six club.
Arsenal were unable to sign a winger in the summer transfer window, despite the clear need to strengthen in the wide areas. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have a lot of pressure to perform until the next opportunity to address this area of the pitch opens, but there is a risk of burnout for the two youngsters.
Zaha has proven through the last five seasons that he is one of the most feared wingers in the Premier League and has helped Crystal Palace to become an established top-flight side.
A deal between the winger and the Gunners could certainly be possible as a video emerged on social media of Zaha being interviewed by Italian journalist Alessandro Schiavone in 2017. And when asked which team the Palace star supported as a child, he said: "Arsenal. Still do."
Arsenal's transfer policy has been spot-on over the last couple of seasons as Edu has made signings that have helped Mikel Arteta progress in his rebuild process. The transfer strategy can be enhanced by tweaking some methods and evolving.
The Gunners have already created a strong foundation over the last couple of windows, which has meant Arteta is now in the best position to qualify for the Champions League. For Arsenal to get to the next level, Premier League-proven players should be the next target rather than a continuation of signing youngsters with potential, as that would not improve the current squad.
For instance, Wilfried Zaha would be more useful than another youngster signing because the 29-year-old Ivorian international will immediately impact the team and can help improve Arsenal in a shorter time frame than it would likely take another player.
There is also an extra incentive to sign him when you consider that the winger did not qualify for the World Cup with Ivory Coast. He has been able to rest and will be without fatigue for the second half of the season, which could help Arsenal with their title push.
Arteta is already equipped with a number of youngsters in the team with top potential. Now it is time to mix these promising players with proven players who are still at the top of their game rather than on the decline.
Zaha would be a necessary signing for the Gunners. Arteta's lack of options in the wide areas, which was evident in the first half of the season, highlights why Arsenal should pursue a deal for the Ivory Coast international.
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