Arsenal are set for a busy transfer deadline day, with the majority of their business likely to be focused on outgoings.
However, Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth believes that Arsenal may seek to bring a new face to the Emirates Stadium today if the right opportunity arises.
The priority will be to move on the likes of Rob Holding, Nuno Tavares, Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Cedric Soares. Sporting director Edu and Mikel Arteta need to trim some of the fat off the Gunners’ first team squad.
Despite this, Sheth says the north London club will have an eye out for potential recruits to plug one or two gaps in the squad. Speaking to GiveMeSport, he said, “Arsenal have always been in the market to try and bring in a particularly right-sided forward player, that’s been the case in the last three transfer windows.”
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Arsenal don’t have a great deal of depth beyond Bukayo Saka in that part of the pitch. The England youngster is a key figure in Arteta’s squad, but a new right-winger would help to ease some of the burden on him.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
Arsenal seek Timber replacement
However, the ACL injury sustained by £38 million summer signing Jurrien Timber on the opening day of the Premier League season may well have changed the Gunners’ deadline day priorities.
As Sheth says, “if they are to bring in any players in this transfer window or what remains of it, it might be in the defensive area because of that injury to Jurrien Timber and, of course, we’ve seen Kieran Tierney leave the club as well.”
Arsenal do now look light when it comes to full-backs, especially when considering the injury histories of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Arteta will surely be keen to bring in some extra quality in this part of the pitch.
Whilst not a full-back, Arsenal’s mooted interest in a loan deal for Barcelona ace Eric Garcia makes a great deal of sense in this context, as per The Daily Star. If an affordable agreement with the La Liga giants can be reached quickly, signing Garcia could be how Arsenal respond to their Timber setback.
Whatever happens, Arsenal need to ensure that their squad is prepared for the challenges to come over the course of this campaign by 11pm tonight.