Lessons from last season may impact how Arsenal approach the upcoming January transfer window.
Arsenal have been linked with a number of potential targets this winter. It seems that the north London club are especially keen to bolster their midfield contingent, with Thomas Partey’s injury issues having left Mikel Arteta a little light on options in the middle of the park.
The Spanish coach will be well aware of how damaging injuries can be. Last season, Arsenal looked on track to land their first Premier League title since 2004. However, they slipped up during the run-in, and were overtaken by eventual champions Manchester City.
The injury sustained by William Saliba last season played key role in the undoing of Arsenal’s title tilt. Without the Frenchman in the heart of the defence, Arteta was forced to rely on inferior rotation options. The Gunners could not maintain their standard with such an important player missing.
Arsenal spent heavily in the recent summer transfer window, in an attempt to add greater strength in depth to their roster. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and David Raya all arrived at the Emirates Stadium. However, there is still work on the squad to be done.
Journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking to GiveMeSport, believes that what happened to Saliba last year will inform how Arsenal approach the January transfer window. He said, “it was unfortunate with Saliba last season because he was so integral to Arsenal. As soon as he was missing, his absence was felt very sorely. So in that light, if Arsenal midseason are right up there, and they’re in the mix, as it stands, it might influence their January.”
Arsenal face tough task in signing top targets
Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League table. However, they are likely to be involved in a tight and tense race for the title with Liverpool and Manchester City. Arteta will be keen to do whatever he can in January to give the Gunners the best possible chance of winning this race in the second half of the campaign.
Arteta will want his squad to be as deep as possible when the business end of the season approaches. He will want to do all he can to ensure that an injury does not derail their efforts again, as it did when Saliba was sidelined last season.
In this regard, Partey’s fitness issues are a real cause for concern. The Ghanaian can’t be relied upon to be fit and available when needed. Without a new addition to the squad, Arsenal are overly reliant on Declan Rice and Jorginho being able to remain fit and in form.
Whether the Gunners have the funds available to them to make the kind of signing they are targeting is another matter, though. Arsenal will only have a limited budget available to them this winter, meaning they face a tough task in making major additions.
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