The ‘feeling’ within Arsenal on where Arteta’s transfer priority should be emerges

Add as preferred source on Google

There has been intense debate over what Arsenal should do in the January transfer window, as Mikel Arteta aims to address his side’s poor run of form.

Two disappointing defeats against West Ham and Fulham saw Arsenal fall behind in the title race, and there have been calls for the club to sign a striker in the January window to address their goalscoring problems.

Thomas Partey’s injury problems have also meant that a midfielder could be targeted, whilst a lack of depth and injuries at the back have also made a defender a necessary addition.

It has now emerged that people within the club believe a defender needs to be prioritised.

Arsenal believe they need to sign a defender in January

A report from the Daily Mail has now revealed that some people at the club believe that a defender should be the first priority in the transfer window for Arteta and Edu Gaspar.

“There is a feeling amongst many at Arsenal that the arrival of a new versatile defender should be prioritised in January,” the report stated.

“The argument for such an approach is compelling. Jurrien Timber is making pleasing progress from an ACL injury but is pencilled in to return in March.”

Arsenal have been linked with teenage defender Jorrel Hato, whilst Cedric Soares could also leave the club this month.

Why do Arsenal need to sign a defender?

Right-back Ben White has had no cover since Takehiro Tomiyasu and Timber picked up injuries, and he has been forced to play with injury problems himself, which has been reflected in his form.

Oleksandr Zinchenko has been heavily criticised for his performances recently, whilst Jakub Kiwior did himself no favours with a poor display on the left against Fulham.

With Tomiyasu featuring in the Asia Cup, Arsenal are dangerously short of options at the back, and one more injury could spell disaster for Arteta.

With this in mind, a defender has to be prioritised above all, to ideally provide cover for White on the right or William Saliba in the middle. Arsenal’s title challenge fell apart last season when Saliba was struck down with injury, and Arteta has to make sure a similar collapse does not happen this season.

Arsenal’s financial fair play issues after a summer of heavy transfer spending has meant that funds may be limited, but even loan deals should be explored as Arsenal simply need bodies at the back to challenge for the rest of the season.