THE January window provides an opportunity for Mikel Arteta to breathe new life into his struggling Arsenal side.
The Gunners have won just one of their last five Premier League games, and have fallen from being top on Christmas day down to fourth after successive losses in the capital.
Last week they had 30 shots on goal at the Emirates but still managed to lose 2-0 to West Ham before a dismal 2-1 defeat away to goal-shy Fulham.
Arteta is in need of some spark, and fresh faces could be the key, but the Spaniard has suggested the club need to sell first before considering splashing the cash this month.
Alongside sporting director Edu, Arteta has several game plans depending on who they can shift and how quickly they can act in the market.
Here, SunSport assesses six options the Arsenal boss has in adding to his transfer kitty:
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CEDRIC SOARES
The 32-year-old Portuguese full-back has been deemed surplus to requirements in North London for some time now, having spent the end of last season on loan at Fulham.
His contract expires in the summer, with the club very unlikely to extend his deal after initially signing on loan in January 2020 from Southampton before making it permanent that summer.
Arteta has previously spoken of Cedric’s positive influence in the dressing room and in training, but game time has been seriously limited – just 65 minutes this campaign.
Turkish sides Besiktas and Trabzonspor are interested in a loan plus an obligation to buy. Arsenal would rather sell now, but may be left with little choice if offers come in.
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It could be seen as a gamble by Arteta, given Arsenal’s injury issues in that position, but Takehiro Tomiyasu returned to action at Craven Cottage while Jurrien Timber is expected to make his long-awaited comeback in mid-February.
EDDIE NKETIAH
The future looked bright for the England striker when he signed a new long-term deal at Arsenal in the summer of 2022 – taking on Thierry Henry’s famous No.14 shirt.
But since then, despite an impressive goal-to-game ratio – mainly from the bench – Nketiah has struggled to convince Arteta he can lead the line for an entire season.
As it stands, Arteta wants to keep him at the club, a useful squad player who is currently Arsenal’s joint-top Prem scorer with five goals in 10 starts so far.
There has been interest around the 24-year-old for some time now, and Crystal Palace are keeping tabs this month on a potential move.
With his contract not expiring until 2027, Arsenal would be looking for an extraordinary offer to let Nketiah leave. Until then, he will remain in Arteta’s plans.
EMILE SMITH ROWE
Despite still having his minutes managed since coming back from injury, it was a surprise to see Smith Rowe an unused sub as Arsenal pushed for an equaliser against Fulham.
During the early days of Arteta’s reign, he was one of catalysts for their upturn in form, providing goals, assists and energy.
Now, since his last new contract in July 2021, he has made 51 Prem appearances across three seasons, yet has made just one Prem start across the past two seasons.
He may be a fan favourite, but Arteta could see this as the time to cash in on a young player who still has potential to make his mark in this division.
Tied up until 2026, Arsenal will again be waiting for a significant offer before making a decision.
Newcastle have previously been interested but are only looking at loan deals with an obligation to buy during this window, and have their eyes on Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips.
AARON RAMSDALE
The player who more than most has his eyes on the exit door with the Euros approaching in the summer, having been ousted as No.1 by the arrival of David Raya in the summer.
Ramsdale was bought for £30m including add-ons from Sheffield United in the summer of 2021. His contract expires in 2026 with an option to extend until 2027.
Arsenal will want to at least get back what they put in should he leave, but again, Arteta has been insistent in his desire for Ramsdale to fight for his place from the bench.
Yet Ramsdale knows his Three Lions chances are slipping away week by week. He has made just five Prem appearances this season, the last one coming in November.
Chelsea and Newcastle are keeping tabs on the situation, both clubs suffering from injuries to their first-choice keepers currently.
JAKUB KIWIOR
The Polish defender only signed last January in a £20m five-and-a-half-year deal from Italian outfit Spezia, but is already fighting to stay in North London.
Kiwior was axed at half-time against Fulham having struggled in an unfamiliar left-back role, just his eighth Prem appearance of the season.
Like Cedric, it would be a risk to sell him without bringing in a like-for-like given Arsenal’s injury worries at the back, as well as Kiwior’s flexibility in defence and holding midfield.
It could be a departure that makes sense given Tomiyasu, Timber and Thomas Partey are all expected back within the next month.
However, Tomiyasu is set to join up with Japan for the Asian Cup and Kiwior may be needed as cover.
REISS NELSON
One of Arteta’s most loyal servants and a player the Spanish coach still feels he can get more from, Nelson has been on the periphery of the starting XI for some time.
The issue for the 24-year-old academy graduate is that he is attempting to break into a crowded position – one that already has Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
The four-year deal he signed back in July will help keep his price high should Arteta feel, like Smith Rowe’s situation, that now is the time to cash in and move on.
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Again, it would be a risk to see a valued squad member depart. Wolves have been interested in the player in the past, and Nelson is sure to attract further Prem suitors should offers begin to flood in.
For now, Arteta is happy with Nelson’s position in the squad, but his impacts off the bench this season have been underwhelming at best.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
