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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provides fresh update on January transfer plans

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that the club are expecting some activity when the transfer window reopens.

The Gunners have had an impressive first half to the Premier League campaign. They are currently fourth in the standings with 35 points after 19 games.

Ahead of the New Year, the club have been fancied to pursue a new midfielder. Lille’s Renato Sanches has been regularly linked with a mid-season move.

Meanwhile, a new striker could also be on the Gunners’ radar amid the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eddie Nketiah.

Speaking in today’s press conference, Arteta acknowledged that there could be some transfer activity with a few players likely to head out on temporary deals.

He said via Arsenal.com: “We are expecting some activity because of a few players, and we have a few loans that hopefully we will have to complete.”

“But it depends, as we all know it’s a very complicated market, and it’s a short window, so we’ll see what happens.”

Our view:

The Gunners will be without midfield duo Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny for most of next month owing to their African Cup of Nations commitments.

This could leave the club short in terms of specialist central midfield options. Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ainsley Maitland-Niles could be the choices left for Arteta.

The latter is reportedly close to joining Roma on loan. The Gunners may delay his departure until deadline day or else they could pursue a suitable replacement first.

Meanwhile, Arteta has repeatedly said that Aubameyang’s situation will be assessed on a game by game basis, but there are genuine doubts over his future at the club.

With Nketiah pushing for a winter exit, the Gunners could enter the market for a new striker, particularly if Arteta has no plans of reintegrating Aubameyang into his plans.

The former captain has been dropped for the last five games after a disciplinary breach. The 32-year-old is now with Gabon for their AFCON preparations. He has been linked with Barcelona lately.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Read: Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Arsenal vs Manchester City.

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