Here are the Arsenal evening headlines for Thursday 21 January 2021.
Martin Odegaard 'flying to London'
Arsenal look set to announce their second signing of the January transfer window.
The Gunners have already sealed a deal for Omar Rekik - although the defender is seen as a player for the future as he's training with the U23's for the moment to aid his development.
But Mikel Arteta's side are in the market to bolster the first-team squad and a creative midfielder has been the priority even before the winter window opened.
This week has seen links to Real Madrid attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard emerge, although fellow La Liga side Real Sociedad are also said to be in the race.
However, Spanish outlet Sport claim a deal for Odegaard to join Arsenal is very close to being completed.
The report also says everything indicates his 'flight to London is about to take off' and with that the Norway international could soon become an Arsenal player.
January transfer plans
Will Odegaard be the only new face at the Emirates Stadium this month?
Well, it looks like Arsenal are going to be very busy going into the final few days of the transfer window.
Arteta has been clear throughout this month that the Gunners priority was to move players on before they could think about bringing anyone in.
But with the departures of Sokratis, Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba confirmed, and Mesut Ozil set to join that list very soon, the Spaniard has admitted that his focus is now on trying to find players to bolster his squad.
Click here as football.london takes a look at where the Gunners are looking to strengthen and who they could bring in.
Balogun update
Mikel Arteta has reaffirmed his desire to retain the services of Folarin Balogun.
This is despite a contract impasse between the player and the club. The 19-year-old striker's deal expires at the end of the season, and he's been absent from many first-team squads in recent weeks.
However, Arteta has made it clear once again that the teenager remains in his plans, with comments made in today's press conference.
"No if anything regarding his contractual situation with the club, I just want to convince him he has a future with the club. Not sending the opposite message," Arteta said ahead of the FA Cup clash with Southampton.
"Before he wasn’t training with the first team. We changed that. He’s showing a real hunger and desire to be with us. We’re trying to get something done because we want him to stay. We have to go step by step.
"I think he’s made some big steps in the last few months where he wasn’t even training and then he had a few good games for us. So the steps are there and we want to try to keep him."
