Arsenal beat Manchester City 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium but, the topic of deadline day lurked in the background.
Mikel Arteta has until Monday night to lock in his Arsenal squad for the remainder of the season.
Deadline day of the January transfer window is fast approaching, putting pressure on Arsenal’s hierarchy to deliver what the Gunners so desperately need.
Arteta has already asked for a forward this window, with the next 24 hours set to be decisive in the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta drops deadline day transfer hint after Arsenal win over Man City
As Arsenal beat Man City 5-1 at the Emirates, very few were thinking about the need for the Gunners to recruit a forward.
A five-star and five-goal performance sent Pep Guardiola’s side back to Manchester with their tails between their legs but, it mustn’t be a distraction ahead of deadline day.
As expected, when facing the media after Arsenal’s resounding win, Arteta was asked by a reporter about deadline day.
The Arsenal manager responded cryptically, in a way that might send a glimmer of hope to fans far and wide.
“My phone has been ringing! Our focus is on Wednesday,” Arteta said, ending the question but, not closing the door on transfers.
Arsenal have been linked to several players this window, with answers to speculation to be provided over the course of the next 24 hours.
Deals to watch on deadline day at Arsenal
Several transfer targets have been identified but, many of them have had their futures tied up with regard to a winter move.
Right now, the most likely move looks to be Mathys Tel, whom Arsenal have made contact with amid his desire to leave Bayern Munich.
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A deal will be incredibly difficult to pull off, as Tel reportedly wants to join Manchester United, but, no deal has been agreed yet.
It’s yet to be seen who the Gunners will make a move for, with the figures behind Arteta’s transfer calls to be revealed in the coming hours.
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