Arsenal are set for a busy remainder of the month off the pitch as Edu looks for a new striker and midfielder.
The Gunners are very short in the centre of the pitch, with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elnenyboth representing their countries at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, Ainsley Maitland-Niles completed a loan move to AS Roma at the weekend, meaning Mikel Arteta has just Granit Xhaka, Charlie Patino and Albert Sambi Lokonga to choose from in the midfield department.
Midfielder could arrive this week as Arsenal set for final talksJanuary 18, 2022
Further up the pitch, Arsenal are determined to add to their ranks, with the futures of Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all seemingly away from the Emirates Stadium.
On that front, the Gunners have made Dusan Vlahovic of Fiorentina as their priority this month, brettbarley.com understands, and are continuing to pursue his signing.
The 21-year-old has been in fantastic form this season for the Italian club, who are demanding £60million for his services. We also understand that the Florence-based outfit are determined to keep hold of the Serbian, though.
For the midfield, Arsenal are interested in Lyon star Bruno Guimaraes, with any deal involving the Brazilian likely to see agent Kia Joorabchian involved as an intermediary.
Speaking to Brazilian news outlet Globo Esporte, via GFFN, Guimaraes said: “It’s normal to be mentioned like this when you are an Olympic champion, have been called up for the national team and are performing well individually.
“But I don’t really like to think about it. I let my agent manage that.”
“The focus now is to move up the rankings and put Lyon in the correct position.”
How could Arsenal line up with Vlahovic and Guimaraes?
With Partey at the AFCON, a big presence is missing in the Arsenal midfield. Guimaraes would come in and at least fill a bit of that void, playing alongside either Lokonga or Xhaka – as seen below.
The Brazilian midfielder would undoubtedly be a first-teamer if he is indeed signed. His ability on the ball would add an extra dimension to the Gunners’ midfield. He is well-rounded in that respect, too, with Guimaraes a strong tackler.
Of course, Patino is an option in the midfield this month as well, but Arteta will be keen to protect the 18-year-old as much as possible after starting him against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Further up the pitch, Vlahovic would slot nicely into the Arsenal attack – jumping ahead Lacazette in the pecking order.
Lacazette has performed well recently for the Gunners, but the Frenchman is expected to leave the Emirates at the end of the season upon the expiry of his contract and Arteta should look forward.
Also, if they were to secure the £60m signing of Vlahovic, then there is no way the Serbia international would arrive in north London with intentions to sit on the bench.
The three behind Vlahovic can easily rotate, with Arteta pretty blessed with options in that department.
Emile Smith Rowe has been out of the team recently due to the form of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli.
The England international may come back into the side, though, in the coming weeks, perhaps at the expense of Odegaard or Martinelli.
The Brazilian midfielder would undoubtedly be a first-teamer if he is indeed signed. His ability on the ball would add an extra dimension to the Gunners’ midfield. He is well-rounded in that respect, too, with Guimaraes a strong tackler.
Of course, Patino is an option in the midfield this month as well, but Arteta will be keen to protect the 18-year-old as much as possible after starting him against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
