Why a player Mikel Arteta thinks is ‘so consistent’ could open talks to leave Arsenal in January

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Arsenal will hope to add to the squad in the January transfer window however, departures could also be discussed.

Mikel Arteta’s summer transfer window has been criticised as there are glaring gaps in the Arsenal squad.

The Gunners are short in attack, with limited depth haltering the North Londoners’ place in the Premier League title race, heading into 2025 in third place.

Fortunately, the January transfer window hands Arteta the chance to bolster his squad, but whether the Arsenal manager will remains unclear. 

• READ MORE: Arsenal ‘offered’ £76m star striker who Kylian Mbappe called ‘complete’ in January transfer loan

Barcelona could contact Thomas Partey in January

While fans will hope to see new arrivals strengthen Arteta’s squad, the Gunners are also at risk of losing some key players.

Jorginho and Thomas Partey are out of contract in the summer and with their futures still undecided, clubs can approach the duo to arrange a transfer at the end of the season.

Despite the understanding that Arsenal want to extend Partey’s contract, other sides are eyeing the midfielder, who is wanted by Barcelona.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who name the Ghanaian as one player the Catalan giants wish to sign in the summer.  

The report states that Barcelona can of course begin talks with Partey as soon as January 1st, with it said that the Spaniards are ‘keeping an eye’ on the 31-year-old.

A lot of Barcelona’s desire to sign the former Atletico Madrid star depends on Frenkie de Jong’s future, as Mundo Deportivo state that the Dutchman’s stance at Barcelona is in jeopardy.

This season, it’s become clear that Partey is one of Arsenal’s most important players, maintaining fine form in both the midfield and in defence when he’s called upon.

That being said, the fact remains that Arsenal have not yet offered the Ghana international a new deal, making January a critical time for the Gunners and Partey.

Mikel Arteta won’t want to lose Partey

It’s been a statement start to the season for Partey, who many thought had no future at Arsenal after Arteta welcomed Mikel Merino in the summer.

After Merino’s freak injury in his first training session, Partey was handed an extended chance to cement his spot in the squad, which he did. 

Arteta waxed lyrical about Partey after Arsenal’s Champions League thrashing of Sporting CP, describing the midfielder as ‘so consistent’ after producing one of ‘the best performances’ he’d ever seen.

Given how impressive the Ghanaian has been, it’s difficult to envisage that Arteta won’t make moves to extend his stay at the Emirates but, with Barcelona lurking, the Gunners need to act fast.