Arsenal January transfer ‘necessity’ now identified as key squad weakness emerges

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Journalist Charles Watts has now made it clear where he feels Arsenal need to improve their squad this month.

Arsenal are keen to add to their squad this month, if they can. There are certainly areas in which Mikel Arteta’s team could stand to improve. 

According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, a full-back and a striker are at the top of the north London club’s shopping list. 

However, the Gunners may need to get creative in the market in order to bring any new faces to the Emirates Stadium this winter. Arsenal only have a limited transfer budget to work with. What’s more, they will be wary of not straying beyond the boundaries of the Premier League’s financial rules and restrictions, having seen both Everton and Nottingham Forest charged for such indiscretions.

Sporting director Edu has his work cut out in trying to get deals over the line this month. Arsenal will have to prioritise efficiently, and will have to defer a lot of business until the summer.

When asked by Harry Symeou on The Chronicles of a Gooner if signing a new left-back should be at the top of the agenda for Arsenal this winter, Charles Watts said, “I think it probably would be. If you look at the squad and where the absolute necessity is right now…I think that’s the area they probably need to strengthen for the second half of the season.”

Why do Arsenal need a left-back so badly?

Injuries have left Arteta particularly light on options in this part of the pitch, as both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber have been sidelined for significant periods this season. On top of that, first choice left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has struggled for consistent form and has his flaws as a player. For all of his technical quality, the Ukrainian is prone to lapses in concentration when on the ball and is also something of a defensive liability. 

This situation has forced Arteta to deploy Jakub Kiwior on the left flank of the defensive line on numerous occasions this season. The Polish international is a centre-back by trade, and has cut an awkward and uncomfortable looking figure at left-back at times. 

It will be difficult for Arsenal to find a left-back of the requisite standard within their price range this month. However, they have been linked with Roma ace Leonardo Spinazzola, though, due to his age, he would only represent a relatively short-term solution.