Arsenal’s January Transfer Window: Arteta’s Insight and Player Perspectives
In the world of football, the January transfer window is often a time of excitement and speculation. For Arsenal, this period has taken on a particular urgency. Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has openly acknowledged the need for new signings this month. He has been in discussions with his squad about potential targets, a move that has fans and pundits alike buzzing with anticipation.
According to sources from ESPN, the Gunners are actively exploring the January market for reinforcements. This search has been intensified by the club’s decision not to sign a forward last summer, a choice that has been further complicated by significant injuries to key players Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal is currently evaluating several options to bolster their attacking positions. Midfielder Declan Rice has hinted at the sentiment within the team. After their recent victory over Tottenham Hotspur, Rice suggested that he “wouldn’t be surprised if we are going to do something” before the transfer window closes on February 3.
When asked whether the players had expressed a desire for new additions, Arteta responded, “Not like that, but we have all been there, we all look at each other. We have very, very short numbers for many, many weeks and they recognise the situation, we all do.”
Arteta emphasized the importance of making the right decisions for the club and the team, stating, “That’s why we are trying to do what is right for the club, the team, that’s our intention.”
In a candid moment, Arteta shared his approach to consulting players about potential signings. “Sometimes yes, especially if they know them because that’s getting us away from the computer and what the data is saying and it is real,” he explained.
He elaborated on the qualities he looks for in a player, saying, “I have seen it, I sense it. A player can score a lot of goals, great. How does this player react when he hasn’t scored for six or seven games? This is what I am interested in. Watch an interview with a player who hasn’t scored for six games, and then what kind of goals does he score?”
Arteta’s detailed analysis extends to various aspects of a player’s performance, including:
- Against which teams in which context?
- Is it first half or second half?
- Is it only with his right foot, only headers, only in open spaces?
- Does he like the physical contact of this league?
He values the insights of players who have spent time with potential signings, considering it “really valuable information to have.”
When asked if he was currently consulting players, Arteta confirmed, “I always do it. If we can get the right player, that’s why we are actively looking at it. Any player, no. Someone that makes us better and has an impact in the team.”
Arteta acknowledged the challenges posed by the current situation, noting, “It is clear that in the period that we lost them, ideally we need some help. We were short already and now we are even shorter. The team still copes with that. We have to do what is right for the club.”
He also highlighted the complexities of the transfer market, stating, “That’s an option. It doesn’t just depend on Arsenal, on Mikel or our will. It depends on the market and a lot of different factors.”
In addition to transfer news, Arteta provided updates on player fitness. He mentioned that there was a chance Myles Lewis-Skelly (knee) and William Saliba (hamstring) could be fit to face Wolves at Molineux on Saturday, with both players facing late fitness tests.
Originally Written by: James Olley
