Arsenal continue to work on new signings in the January transfer window with Mikel Arteta prepared to sanction up to eight sales in order to generate income to refresh his squad.
The Gunners could therefore move on any of the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson, Callum Chambers, Folarin Balogun, Joe Willock, Mesut Ozil, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Sead Kolasinac, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Lucas Torreira. While Granit Xhaka and Alexandre Lacazette are also facing uncertain futures. But on the pitch there is better news after a recent surge in form following a 4-0 win at West Bromwich Albion, which has seen the Gunners move up to 11th in the Premier League table. Arteta may have removed the pressure for now, but the ultimate goal in the short-term is to reclaim a place inside the top four to qualify for the Champions League, which will be tricky this season given the increased competition from the likes of Everton and Leicester City.
But their business over the course of the next few weeks could prove pivotal to their chances, with the winter window now wide open for teams to buy and sell. Arsenal completed numerous deals in the summer, including Willian, Gabriel and Dani Ceballos, while that trio was joined by Thomas Partey on deadline day. There could be exciting opportunities ahead with Edu’s relationship with Kia Joorabchian, while one of Arteta’s main priorities will be to shift Mesut Ozil, who remains frozen out at the Emirates.
A deal for Isco has been in the works with Real Madrid open to selling, but that deal could rely on the Gunners creating space in the squad and easing the burden on the club’s wage bill. Defender Sead Kolasinac has returned to Germany with a loan move to Schalke with many more including defenders Shkodran Mustafi and William Saliba and even Mesut Ozil possible departures before the deadline.
We will have all the latest Arsenal news, rumours and gossip - on both comings and goings - throughout the day.
