David Ornstein says Arsenal now want to bolster one position that isn’t a striker

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Transfer journalist David Ornstein has now revealed which position Arsenal are most keen to strengthen this month.

Mikel Arteta will likely be desperate to bolster his Arsenal squad during the current January transfer window. 

The first half of the season has revealed some flaws in his squad. Certainly, a lack of goals is a problem. Gabriel Jesus, as the Gunners’ first choice striker, has only netted three times in the Premier League so far this season.

It is not a surprise, then, that the north London club have been linked with a host of big name forwards.

Equally, there is room for improvement in the middle of the park. Declan Rice has been sensational since his arrival at the Emirates Stadium in the summer, but Thomas Partey, Jorginho, and Mohamed Elneny are all in the latter stages of their careers. A midfield overhaul is surely on the horizon.

On top of that, Aaron Ramsdale is currently unsettled at the club, having lost his starting berth to summer signing David Raya. If the England goalkeeper seeks to force an exit this month, then he will need replacing.

Perhaps most pressing of all, though, is the need for additional defensive strength in depth. Jurrien Timber is currently sidelined with a long-term injury. Takehiro Tomiyasu has also spent time in the treatment room, and is about to depart for the Asia Cup with Japan. Ben White has his fitness concerns, and Oleksandr Zinchenko is considered to be something of a defensive liability. 

As such, bolstering his backline must be a priority for Arteta.

David Ornstein names Arsenal transfer priority

According to David Ornstein, that does indeed seem to be the case. Speaking on FIVE, the reporter revealed what he knows about the club’s imminent transfer plans, saying, “maybe a loan, I’ve heard suggestions about potentially strengthening at left-back, but that may not come until the summer because Arsenal are already short on numbers, they need to get the players they have fit and then if they can bring someone in on a short-term basis it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.”

Given the Gunners only have a limited transfer budget available to them, and FFP must also be a consideration as they spent so heavily in the summer, a loan deal would make sense to add an extra option at left-back.

A temporary signing would also mean that there is still room for Timber in the squad once he has completed his rehabilitation process.

That being said, finding a player of the appropriate quality who is also available on loan could prove to be a major challenge. If such an option does prove impossible to find, Arteta may have to struggle on with the players he has until the end of the season.