Emerging Arsenal transfer target has already been vetted by Pep Guardiola – Mikel Arteta must take note

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The January transfer window could hand Mikel Arteta the opportunity to bolster his Arsenal squad.

It’s clear that added support in attack is required at the Emirates, as Arsenal’s injury concerns continue to plague the season. 

While Arteta has made it clear that he trusts his squad, there’s room for improvement that’s difficult to ignore right now.

Arsenal have fallen behind Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title, as the Gunners’ inconsistencies have proven to be an issue.

• READ MORE: What Mikel Arteta just said about replacing Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling with Arsenal’s January transfer plans

What Pep Guardiola has said about Arsenal target Dani Olmo 

Amid concern over Arsenal’s attacking depth, Arteta must be prompted to attack the January transfer window with force. 

Pressure has grown on the Arsenal manager this week, as Bukayo Saka is set for weeks on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury. 

Saka’s injury comes at an interesting time, as already, transfer rumours have already started, with Dani Olmo now linked with a move to Arsenal.

It’s claimed that the Gunners have made contact with the Barcelona forward’s representatives ahead of the upcoming window.

Links come at an interesting time given that Arsenal could sign Olmo for free in January, due to Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles. 

Olmo has the capacity to play in a range of attacking positions and has already been tipped to go to the top by Pep Guardiola. 

Speaking back in 2019 when Manchester City beat Dinamo Zagreb 4-1 in the Champions League, a game that saw Gabriel Jesus net a hat-trick, Guardiola waxed lyrical about Olmo.

“He’s a top player- he has a bright future, of course,” the Man City manager said.

“About the transfer and the money he deserves, that is not the point. The point is he is an incredible player and I am pretty sure he is able to play in the strong leagues in Europe. Hopefully, if Dinamo wants and he wants, it can happen.”

Olmo left Zagreb to join RB Leipzig in January 2020, soon after the fixture, moving on to Barcelona in the summer of 2024 and is now linked to Arsenal.

Would Olmo be a good signing for Arsenal?

Being a player who thrived in the summer at Euro 2024, Olmo made his talent visible to the world, following on from his triumphs at RB Leipzig.

So far, the Spaniard has netted five LaLiga goals in only 11 appearances for Barcelona, featuring in the number ten role between the vibrant talents of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. 

If Arsenal were to sign the 26-year-old, there’s a good chance that he would be utilised away from his favoured position, which is reserved for Martin Odegaard at the Emirates.

That being said, Olmo has many strings to his bow, having played on both the left and right-wing, as well as in the number nine role.

Amid Saka’s injury blow, Arsenal could strike gold by bringing the Spain international to the Emirates this winter, being a player who can offer the creativity needed to bolster Arteta’s squad.