Arsenal transfer news

MIKEL ARTETA says Arsenal are prepared to dip into the January market after admitting he has several “exposed” positions in his squad.The Gunners boss is wary that the outlook of his group of players could change in the coming weeks and wants to act quickly should an opportunity arise.
Mikel Arteta hinted at January transfer reinforcementsCredit: Getty
Ahead of their Premier League clash at home to West Ham tomorrow night, with a chance to regain top-spot, Arsenal have five players missing through knocks and suspension.
Midfielders Thomas Partey (thigh) and Fabio Vieira (groin) and defenders Jurrien Timber (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) are out injured while Kai Havertz is serving a one-match ban.
Partey and Tomiyasu could return for Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool on January 7 before heading off to the African Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup with Ghana and Japan respectively.
Mohamed Elneny is also set to depart for potentially a month with Egypt at AFCON. Vieira is expected to return by the end of January, and Timber by mid-February.
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Arteta and technical director Edu have several gameplans in place to deal with gaps both in midfield and defence, but could be reliant on a big sale to fund any incomings – or focusing on the loan market – due to concerns over FFP after heavy spending last summer.
Aaron Ramsdale has been linked with move to Newcastle and Chelsea after being replaced as No.1 by David Raya, but Arteta has previously stated he wants to keep him this month.
And when asked about the January window, as Arsenal prepare for another hotly-contested title race, Arteta explained: “We are really short.
“We have positions that we have been very exposed in for the last six weeks and hopefully we are going to get players back. In what condition and when?
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“That’s a question mark and as well because we have some long-term injuries still for certain players that give us a lot of versatility and that’s an issue.
“We have certain targets, ideas if things happen. As well, we don’t know how the squad is going to look in two weeks’ time and you have to be always prepared for that.
“But it is a very, very tricky market that shifts quickly and it is quite unpredictable as well. You have to be prepared. We will be prepared and we will try to make the right calls.
“If there is something that we can [do to] improve the squad and that appears, and we cannot fulfil it with players here, we are always going to be open to do that because we want to be stronger.”
Arsenal spent a combined £210m on Timber, Havertz and Declan Rice in the summer window – and will soon fork out £27m to make loanee Raya a permanent deal from Brentford.
They were top of the Prem at Christmas for the second year in a row – having narrowly missed out on lifting their first title since 2004 last year to Manchester City. More

ARSENAL are lining up a sensational move for Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports.The Athletic report that the Gunners are tracking the Bayern defender ahead of a move.
Matthijs de Ligt is among Arsenal’s top transfer targetsCredit: Getty
However, it is much more likely that it will take place in the summer rather than this January.
Mikel Arteta has been candid in his desire to bring in bodies and said simply in a recent press conference: “We need more players.”
But the club are facing FFP issues and may be limited in who they can bring in.
Their high expenditure, particularly on Declan Rice, means they will have to balance the books over the coming windows.
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There’s also David Raya, who was brought in on a loan with obligation to buy because of FFP issues last summer.
Arsenal will have to pay £27million for him next summer and that will need to be accounted for in the budget.
The Athletic report that strengthening the defence remains the priority for the Gunners in January but the changing nature of the window means that other areas could come into focus.
Midfield could be an area Arsenal choose to reinforce with Thomas Partey due to go off to AFCON.
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Aside from de Ligt, Arsenal may also target Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck.
But the price-point and contract situations of both players mean they are deals that may have to wait for the summer.
Arsenal are also interested in 17-year-old Ajax centre-back Jorrel Hato who has captained his team on occasion this season and also made an appearance for the Dutch national side.
Hato would not come cheap, however, meaning signing a defender on a short-term loan is the most likely option.
Arsenal also remain long-term admirers of Douglas Luiz but Villa’s league form makes selling to Arsenal in January an unlikely prospect. More

AARON RAMSDALE has been told to weigh up his January options by an ex-Arsenal keeper who grew tired of playing second fiddle.Vito Mannone was Emirates understudy to Wojciech Szczesny before he jumped ship for Sunderland in 2013.
Aaron Ramsdale’s place has been taken by David Raya at ArsenalCredit: PA
Vito Mannone previously played second fiddle at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
And the Italian urged Ramsdale to think very carefully if David Raya keeps getting the nod.
Lille keeper Mannone, now 35, said: “It’s not easy but in Ramsdale’s place I’d have taken it badly.
“My advice to him is to keep working.
“I waited eight years before I became a Premier League regular, Emi Martinez had to wait ten years before stealing the show.
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“He also had many loans and paid his dues. But those who work and bide their time eventually end up making it.
“But if Ramsdale’s moment won’t come again, he should look for it elsewhere! There’s not much else he can do.

“I lost my place after a great year. It was tough to accept.”
Raya arrived on loan from Brentford in August despite Ramsdale being superb last term.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta favours Raya for his ability with the ball at his feet and Ramsdale has made just one Premier League appearance since his rival got the nod in early September — and that was only because Raya could not play against his parent club.
Mannone added: “The top sides want two great goalies who are ready to play at any moment.
“I was No 1 and back-up, and I can tell you that when you’re first choice you need the board and the second keeper’s backing.
“When you have two potential first-choice keepers it doesn’t make it any easier for the manager.
“If Arteta is proud, he sticks with Raya but if he’s clever he picks the best and more in-form keeper.”
Arsenal are in the battle for the title but Mannone would not put his money on the league leaders going the distance just yet — because they topped the pile in 2003, 2008, 2014 and 2023 before they collapsed.
And Mannone, who spent eight years on the club’s books until 2013, said: “Arsenal are always top of the table at Christmas before bottling it. And I’ve been through it myself many times. There’s always difficulties in seeing the job home.”
Mannone shared a dressing room with Arteta at the Emirates.
He added: “Even as a captain, Mikel always had this verve and leadership and he’s a great manager.  I hope he reaps the rewards of the job he’s done. Let’s hope it’s the right time.”
Mikel Arteta has chosen Raya over Ramsdale as his No1Credit: Getty
Wojciech Szczesny became Arsenal’s first choice during Mannone’s time in North LondonCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

NEAL MAUPAY has cheekily taken the credit for Emiliano Martinez becoming a World Cup winner – and says the goalie “should be grateful” to him.The Brentford striker, 27, was involved in a furious melee with the Aston Villa star on Sunday after the keeper’s theatrics following two clashes with the Frenchman.
Neal Maupay has jokingly taken credit for Emi Martinez becoming a world champCredit: X @sportbible
The forward collided with Bernd Leno against Arsenal back in 2020Credit: PA
The German goalie was injured in the incident and his absence opened the door for MartinezCredit: Getty
The Argentina goalie went on to win the World Cup 12 months agoCredit: Getty
The 31-year-old first threw himself to the turf after being barged by Maupay and then shoved the ex-Everton ace to the ground moments later in retaliation.
Martinez, who looked fuming with his rival’s reaction to his shove, then grabbed his rival’s shirt to try and drag him up onto his feet, but that only led to more players getting involved. 
Brentford’s social media accounts then hilariously trolled Martinez by wishing him well in his “recovery from injury”.
Now Maupay has followed that up with a tongue-in-cheek jibe about how he helped launch Martinez’s career after he was involved in a collision with then Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno three years ago that accidentally injured the German.
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Martinez had played the role of backup throughout his decade at the Emirates and had not even earned a cap for his country.
However, that Leno injury saw him finally given a chance and he excelled for the Gunners, helping them to FA Cup glory, before moving on to Villa the following summer.
Martinez has since become Argentina’s No1 and lifted the Copa America before winning the World Cup 12 months ago.
Now Maupay has jokingly taken the credit as he told SPORTbible: “I got so many messages saying ‘you basically won the World Cup’.
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“Obviously, because Leno got injured in contact with me and then (Martinez) got to play and then play for Argentina blah blah. He should be grateful shouldn’t he.”
Maupay added: “It was so unfortunate that Leno got injured.
“I’m on very good terms with him now he’s at Fulham. I never tried to hurt him.” More