10 players who could join Arsenal in January

3 Jan 2022 16:37 GMT
6 min read

Dusan Vlahovic, Fiorentina, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Arsenal were the biggest spenders in the summer transfer window in England, shelling out over £149 million on new recruits.

Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu all arrived as Mikel Arteta started set about rejuvenating his squad with an aim of ensuring the average age was brought down.

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The Gunners have recently found form with their youthful side, but it's unlikely that Arteta will be entirely content with his squad, especially given the situation surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and he could well look to add to his squad in January.

A striker remains the priority for the moment, as is another central midfielder, so who have they been linked with?

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)

Everton are having a torrid time under Rafa Benitez at the moment and if their current downward spiral continues it won't be long before their star players look for a transfer away.

The absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin was one of the main reasons behind Everton's form as his injury left them short of a focal point, and quality, up front.

He returned to the side against Brighton, and missed a penalty, and will be looking to improve his match fitness in the coming weeks, something he'd need to prove before Arsenal started to consider a deal.

Everton would also demand a high transfer fee, especially as it's mid-season.

Renato Sanches (Lille)

Bayern Munich flop Renato Sanches has resurrected his career in France with Lille, emerging as one of the best all-round midfielders in the division.

Now that the Portugal international has rebuilt his reputation after poor spells with Bayern and Swansea, he is once again a wanted commodity.

It seems inevitable that Sanches will leave Lille either in January or possibly in the summer, and Arsenal are among his list of suitors.

The Gunners are crying out for a new central midfielder and the energy Sanches provides in the middle of the park could be just what they need.

Ianis Stoica (FCSB)

Ianis Stoica is only 18 years old, but he's sensationally already been playing senior football for four years.

He remarkably made his first-team debut for FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, aged 14, and he marked the occasion with a goal in a 6-1 cup win over Sanatatea Cluj.

He scored seven goals and assisted five in 24 games for CSM Slatina on loan last season, and that prompted FCSB to recall him this year.

The right winger could be set for a move to Arsenal, though, if the North London side make their interest concrete.

Houssem Aouar (Lyon)

Houssem Aouar reportedly came close to signing for Arsenal in the summer of 2020, only for the deal to collapse.

The Gunners ended up signing Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid instead, but they still retain an interest in Aouar, who could be available for a cut-price fee as his contract with Lyon runs out in the summer of 2023.

Aouar has stated that his role models are Zinedine Zidane and Juninho Pernambucano, and this is reflected in his style of play. A calm and composed player in possession, he's manipulates the ball excellently, particularly in tight areas.

The reason for the player not signing for Arsenal in 2020 is allegedly because they could not guarantee Champions League football, but with Lyon struggling in Ligue 1, and Arsenal one of the favourites for a top four spot thanks to their recent form, he could be persuaded.

Wout Weghorst (Wolfsburg)

Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst could well be the perfect candidate to replace Alexander Lacazette should the Frenchman reject a new deal, or be sold in January.

After making the move to Wolfsburg in 2018, Weghorst has established himself as a proven target man that can score and create goals in equal measure with relative ease.

Over the past three seasons, the Dutch international has never dipped below 17 goals in all competitions, and often picks up a handful of assists along the way too.

Weghorst's presence up top would be ideal to link up the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka from wide areas.

Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad)

Although Alexander Isak may not be as widely tipped for success as Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland, the young Swede is still one of European football’s most exciting prospects.

The Real Sociedad striker has quickly turned his career around in Spain after a tricky start to senior football at Borussia Dortmund, and is now attracting interest from some of the continent’s biggest clubs.

Arsenal will not be in the market for a Haaland or Mbappe as they simply aren't an elite enough side at the moment, but, they could potentially take the punt, albeit an expensive one, on another potential gem in Isak.

Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)

Jesse Lingard didn't play a single minute of Premier League football for Manchester United in the first half of last season, which led to his loan move to West Ham United.

Lingard was truly excellent in his short spell with the Hammers, and he was widely expected to join them again on a permanent deal last summer.

However, that didn't happen, and he was allegedly given assurances over his playing time by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, only for that promise to remain unfulfilled.

Half the Premier League wants him, though Arsenal may represent the most attractive option.

Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Once viewed as a key figure at Manchester City, following the arrival of Jack Grealish for a British record transfer fee, Raheem Sterling dropped down the pecking order at the Etihad.

He subsequently said he was open to leaving Man City in January, even if it meant moving abroad.

However, in recent weeks he has found some form again, with Guardiola selecting him in the starting XI more frequently, so it is probably more likely he will stay where he is.

Barcelona are also interested.

Denis Zakaria (Gladbach)

Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria is out of contract in the summer and so would be available at a knockdown price for any suitor.

The Switzerland international is an all-rounder in midfield and can contribute both in attack and defence.

His best attribute is arguably his ability to drive forward in possession, though he also has an eye for a pass and his defensive actions are extremely high.

There are plenty of other clubs hoping to take advantage of his contract situation, though, so Arsenal will need to act fast.