Even Mikel Arteta will take his mind away from Arsenal to celebrate the festive season, or so we think.
The Arsenal manager knows what is at stake, as after missing out on the Premier League title three seasons in a row, silverware needs to be delivered.
While plenty have confidence that Arsenal can win the league in May, there’s a long way to go until it’s decided, with the turn of the year being a particularly significant time for clubs.
2026 needs to be a silverware-laden year for the Gunners, emphasising the need for Arteta to wish for something big this Christmas.
A Premier League medal? A new signing? What would you give Mikel Arteta for Christmas and why?
Mikel Arteta’s Christmas wishlist at Arsenal
All eyes will be on Arsenal as the season progresses slowly towards the summer months.
Already, there’s discussion about whether Arsenal will crumble in March and April before the title race is decided in May.
Therefore, perhaps the most important thing on Arsenal Insider’s Christmas wishlist for Arteta is to have total control over the mindset of his players.
It’s absolutely imperative that Arsenal don’t start thinking about the title race now, as there’s so much yet to be decided before envisioning lifting the trophy.
Jamie Carragher didn’t like Arsenal’s reaction after conceding against Aston Villa, and Thierry Henry agreed, with the pair suspecting that the squad are thinking too much about what results in December could mean in May.
What is your honest take on how Arsenal’s players reacted to Aston Villa’s winner?
Is Thierry Henry right that Arsenal's mentality needs to change? 🤔
The next thing on Arteta’s wishlist is a miracle: stop Arsenal’s injuries from happening.
Ordinarily, this shouldn’t be deemed something only a miracle can resolve, but right now, it feels that way.
History shows that Arsenal’s injuries could cost them the Premier League title, as in the previous five seasons, the big six side with the most injuries has fallen short of the top spot.
Arteta needs to work out how to get control over the frequency of Arsenal’s injuries, putting a fully-fit squad for the remainder of the season high on his wishlist.
January transfer delight for Arsenal?
Andrea Berta could deliver Arteta his final wish of the festive period after New Years Day, as the January transfer window opens.
Fill the gaps: If I were Arsenal manager, I’d sign ______ in January because ________.
Arsenal’s defensive injuries continue to grow 😩!
Despite the incredible work the sporting director did in the summer, there are arguably three positions that could still be strengthened.
A central midfielder to cover for Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi could be desired, as could yet another defender amid the growing injury concerns.
It looks, however, that a winger is at the top of Arsenal’s wishlist, as Berta has made contact with Kenan Yildiz’s agent while the Turk continues to fly at Juventus.
It would be a shock to see a player of Yildiz’s calibre arrive in January, but stranger things have happened, with all eyes on the potential gifts Berta could hand Arteta.
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