Arsenal board must heed warning of ‘big’ Man City transfer plan – Arteta needs what Guardiola is getting

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Attention at Arsenal will soon be turning to the January transfer window. 

Although the Gunners are yet to replace Edu Gaspar with a new sporting director, the club will still be hoping to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad in the winter market. 

Certainly, the start Arsenal have made to this campaign proves that there is plenty of room for improvement in the first team ranks, and injuries have shown where greater strength in depth is required. 

However, the January transfer window is a notoriously tough time to get good value deals over the line, and Arteta will also be concerned about protecting the players he already has.

Thomas Partey will become available on a pre-contract agreement to foreign clubs, for instance, unless he pens a new deal to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium before the market opens.

• READ MORE: How much Arsenal paid to sign every 2024/25 first-team squad player in the transfer market

Arsenal learn Man City January transfer plan

Whilst Arsenal have had an inconsistent season so far, it is nothing compared to the disastrous run of recent form that Manchester City have endured. 

The reigning Premier League champions have won just once in their last eleven outings, across all competitions.

Pep Guardiola has an enormous amount of credit in the back at the Etihad Stadium, of course, so won’t be fearing for his job. 

Instead, the Manchester City hierarchy are planning to provide the manager with a winter war chest with which to improve his squad.

As reported by the Daily Mail: “City will go big on backing him in the January window, with four new players anticipated – an indication that the club believe they will escape heavy punishment on the Premier League’s 115 charges.”

What Mikel Arteta needs in the transfer window

Arsenal must see this news for what it is – a warning that Manchester City could soon get a huge boost and rediscover their form. If that happens, the Gunners need to be ready to have the Cityzens snapping at their heels in the race to hunt down league leaders Liverpool. 

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	15	11	3	1	31	13	18	36
2	ChelseaChelsea	16	10	4	2	37	19	18	34
3	ArsenalArsenal	16	8	6	2	29	15	14	30
4	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	16	8	4	4	21	19	2	28
5	Man CityManchester City	16	8	3	5	28	23	5	27

What’s more, the Arsenal board must recognise that their rivals will take a stride forward this winter, and they must therefore do the same.

Arsenal have been told to sign a striker. There is also an argument that the Gunners are in need of a new winger to compete with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, and a playmaker to offer support for Martin Odegaard. 

What’s more, as Arsenal have suffered a defensive injury crisis this season, Arteta may be keen to bolster his options at the back.

The Gunners must take their cue from Manchester City and provide the Spanish coach with the funds needed to make the required signings.