Joan Garcia makes honest admission about his future as Arsenal transfer plan for January revealed

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Joan Garcia was heavily linked with a switch to Arsenal in the recent summer transfer window.

Arsenal had to revamp their goalkeeper department this summer.

The Gunners signed David Raya on a permanent basis, following his loan stint at the Emirates Stadium last season. 

However, Mikel Arteta still needed to find a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who ultimately joined Southampton. 

Late on Transfer Deadline Day, Arteta added Neto to his ranks, with the veteran shot-stopper arriving on loan from Bournemouth. However, Joan Garcia had been the Gunners’ first choice to replace Ramsdale. 

Arsenal were unable to agree a fee for Garcia, though, as Espanyol were unwilling to lower their demands. 

Before the market closed, sporting director Edu Gaspar forced a deal for Neto through, taking the executive decision to give up on Garcia before the Gunners ran out of time to sign a goalkeeper altogether. 

However, it would seem that Arteta still has plans to reignite his pursuit for the Espanyol ace.

• READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window

Joan Garcia speaks out after Arsenal move collapse

According to The Mirror, it is expected that Arteta may well rekindle his interest in Garcia in December, ahead of the January transfer window. 

They have also quoted the ‘keeper discussing his future, and the aftermath of his dramatic summer. 

Garcia said: “During the entire market I was quite isolated. I was at the Olympic Games and when I arrived La Liga was already starting. The last few days were more intense, but I was very isolated, focusing on what I had to do, which is the field. I managed not to get distracted.

“Regarding my continuity, I am very happy that people are happy that I have stayed. I have worked all these years for this – playing with Espanyol in the First Division – and this is how it is. I hope to take advantage of it.

“With the Olympic Games I came when the season was already beginning. I’ve barely had time to think about it. It was the opportunity I’ve been working for, and I couldn’t afford to have my head out of it. Everything comes to you, but I had to be very calm with my head where it should be.”

Should Arsenal go back in for Garcia?

Arsenal clearly rate Garcia highly, but given the Gunners now have Neto providing adequate back up for Raya, it would perhaps not be the wisest use of transfer funds to invest in another shot-stopper this winter. 

Raya has started the new season in exceptional form, so it is unlikely that Garcia would be able to seriously challenge for a starting role, and there are other areas of the squad in greater need of investment. 

Arteta would be far better off adding attacking reinforcements to his ranks this winter, and postponing another move for Garcia until the summer, when Neto’s loan will come to an end.