Arsenal potential targets in the January transfer window
Heading into the second half of the season, Arsenal are perched at the top of the Premier League standings – a position they’d be determined to retain for the remainder of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s troops have been impressive this season, boasting one of the best home records in the division, having won seven of their nine fixtures at the Emirates Stadium (D2).
They’ve also been solid on the road, with only north London arch nemesis Tottenham Hotspur picking up more points on their travels (18) than the title-chasing Gunners (16).
Arsenal have laid a solid foundation to build on heading into 2024, but there’s still a long way to go on the road to realising a first Premier League title since 2003.
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Having watched his side mount a concrete title run only to capitulate at the back end of last season, Arteta will be determined to avoid a similar fate this season, particularly with his side competing across multiple competitions.
Injuries to key players and a lack of depth and experience led to a dip in form at a crucial time, costing Arteta in the 2022/23 run-in as Manchester City eventually edged them out of the Premier League title race.
Avoiding a similar fate would be a priority for Arteta as we approach the January transfer window.
The Spaniard would welcome a chance to bolster his squad, maintaining sharpness and competition for places ahead of a crucial second half of the season.
We analyse a couple of potential targets that could significantly bolster Arsenal’s chances of pipping Liverpool, City and surprise package Aston Villa to the Premier League title this season.
Defence
Ousmane Diomande
Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with a move for highly-rated Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande, and the January transfer window could be the perfect time to snap him up.
The Gunners were unsuccessful in their pursuit of the Ivory Coast international last summer but could now struggle to finalise a deal with the 19-year-old attracting interest from a handful of European heavy hitters.
Diomande made 34 appearances for Sporting last term, scoring two goals and providing one assist – along with keeping 11 clean sheets in all competitions. This term, he has continued his fine form.
The Ivorian has already equalled his goal contributions tally from last term in just 20 appearances across all competitions, but his underlying statistics further underscore why he should be a priority target for Arsenal.
Diomande has kept four clean sheets this season while establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with when competing for possession in both ground and aerial duels.
The centre-half has registered a 63% success rate in ground battles, bettering that stats with a 73% success rate in aerial duels while recording 1.5 tackles per match.
Diomande doesn’t shy away from progressing the ball from the first phase, recording a 73% success rate in attempted dribbles, which could come in handy for Arteta, particularly in the build-up phase.
Diomande reportedly has a £69.2 million release clause that would need to be triggered if Sporting are going to sanction his exit in the January window. But he could prove a value-for-money acquisition.
Arsenal currently boasts two of the best-performing centre-halves in the Premier League in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
The duo have established a formidable partnership in recent years, but the quality in Arsenal’s ranks behind them is below par and would struggle for consistency in the top flight.
Injury to Saliba in the second half of last season marked the beginning of the end of Arsenal’s title pursuit, and Arteta would be eager to avoid a similar scenario.
Jakub Kiwior is the only natural and fit central defender available to Arsenal at that moment, with Jurrien Timber nursing an anterior cruciate ligament injury and isn’t expected to return until the latter parts of the season.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is also set for an extended spell on the sidelines. It also doesn’t help that he’s expected to jet off to represent Japan in the upcoming Asian Cup in January.
If the Gunners are serious about their title charge, equipping Arteta with all the necessary tools to get the job done should be paramount, and that includes snapping up Diomande ahead of the other potential suitors.
Midfield
Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal may need to reinforce their midfield ranks when the transfer window re-opens in January, but their market activity hinges on the long-term future of Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian international has endured a stop-start campaign riddled with injuries and is also expected to link up with his national team ahead of the January Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
There has been plenty of speculation around Partey’s future at the Emirates – if Arsenal cut him loose in January, they’ll need to sort out a replacement to bolster squad depth.
Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi has been on Arsenal’s radar for a while, and they could revive their long-standing interest in the Spanish holding midfielder.
Captain Martin Odegaard and club-record signing Declan Rice are undisputed starters in Arteta’s midfield. But the jury is still out on Kai Havertz’s sustainability in the central role despite his recent resurgence.
The Gunners have been linked with Zubimendi, but the Spaniard wasn’t interested in departing Sociedad last summer largely because the La Liga side could offer Champions League football.
Zubimendi played a crucial role for the Basque club in their Champions League campaign this season, steering them to a top-placed finish in the group phase.
Arsenal could revive their interest in January, but it remains to be seen if the player can be convinced to switch allegiances in mid-season.
Zubimendi has a release clause worth €60m in his current Sociedad contract, and you can bet the La Liga side will be eager to milk every penny possible from his potential exit.
Douglas Luiz
Arsenal are also long-term admirers of Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, although plucking him from the Birmingham-based club mid-season would be challenging.
Luiz has established a formidable midfield partnership with Boubakar Kamara and John McGinn at the heart of Unai Emery’s set-up, and Villa would be extremely reluctant to break up the dynamic trio.
Villa establishing themselves as genuine contenders for the Premier League title this season also doesn’t help Arsenal’s chances of pulling off a mid-season deal for Luiz.
However, it’s a common perception that money talks and the possibility of a deal may hinge on what Arsenal are willing to fork out to force the Villans into softening their stance.
