{"id":1121662,"date":"2019-12-23T10:57:05","date_gmt":"2019-12-23T10:57:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1121662"},"modified":"2019-12-26T11:54:32","modified_gmt":"2019-12-26T11:54:32","slug":"arsenal-transfer-plans-january-window-arteta","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/arsenal-transfer-plans-january-window-arteta\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal transfer plans for January 2020: What we know so far"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Mikel Arteta is through the door at the Emirates and now the hard work begins.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-e0yq73oi7cq4d2jf6fhv123rgzkmgye2\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal<\/span> have made a disastrous start to the <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-qp1tbxgr6d45c4fhsu5xbw12lj46sh6n\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/premier_league_2\">Premier League<\/span> season, winning just of their last nine games in a run which has seen them sink to 10th in the table, seven points adrift of fourth-placed <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-9o1xazpyfl4f668bejvyvwgsave7b0y5\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/chelsea_f-c\">Chelsea<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-dkv1a3oohv4qu3n3y2ezykjzwf5txyoq\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">The Gunners<\/span> have matches against Bournemouth, <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-38hxpx28acj58pje0bbh2nx6xkfuotgu\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/chelsea_f-c\">Chelsea<\/span> and <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-8aknmgxl32s6i7ijkuw859qllha19iou\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/manchester_united\">Manchester United<\/span> coming up between now and New Year&#8217;s Day and Arteta will no doubt be using this time to scope out his squad, highlight weaknesses and weed out the weak from the strong.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; max-width: 700px;\" title=\"Audioboom player\" src=\"https:\/\/embeds.audioboom.com\/posts\/7450070\/embed\/v4?image_option=full\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>So, with the January transfer window looming and <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-gho3d2g871ogufmweqcea22eibo7b5zh\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal<\/span> having serious ground to make up on the higher reaches of the <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-ozbjks7ee7jax8zew3whdoowdzqj6s2r\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/premier_league_2\">Premier League<\/span>, let&#8217;s take a look at how things might pan out for them in the market.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Where do Arsenal need to strengthen?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>What a question.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-f82bmunusgr9vk4g9wohrrjv2r6sy70g\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">The Gunners<\/span> have been absolutely terrible so far this season and you could blindly point your finger at their squad and stand a strong chance of landing on a weakness.<\/p>\n<p>Narrowing it down, central midfield becomes a clear priority. Granit Xhaka has suffered his share of personal issues and disputes this season, Lucas Torreira has struggled for consistency and Matteo Guendouzi remains an inexperienced youngster, despite making strides since moving to north London. Arsenal need to find a central midfielder who can dictate the tempo of a game, progress the ball forward and isn&#8217;t afraid to add a robust edge to make Arteta&#8217;s side more solid\u00a0although the Spaniard has given his public backing to Xhaka, suggesting the door remains open to the club&#8217;s former captain.<\/p>\n<p>Part of the need to beef up <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-puqta3zybsp5bzq9jll0yggr43d85xxx\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal&#8217;s<\/span> midfield is the fact their centre-back options are also so threadbare. David Luiz&#8217;s signing in the summer has done little to stop the flood of chances on Bernd Leno&#8217;s goal &#8211; the German has made more saves (73) than any other <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-o2o2fgem9c2c9ax81fxm4s6mllmphild\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/premier_league_2\">Premier League<\/span> goalkeeper this season &#8211; while Sokratis is solid enough, but seriously lacks pace and isn&#8217;t the most adept ball-player.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1121706\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/everton-arsenal-player-ratings-aubameyang-xhaka-tosun\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1121706\" class=\"wp-image-1121706 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/21145353\/feature_match-result-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/21145353\/feature_match-result-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/21145353\/feature_match-result-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/21145353\/feature_match-result-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/21145353\/feature_match-result-66x37.png 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/21145353\/feature_match-result-620x350.png 620w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/21145353\/feature_match-result-940x530.png 940w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/21145353\/feature_match-result-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/21145353\/feature_match-result.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1121706\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/everton-arsenal-player-ratings-aubameyang-xhaka-tosun\">Five things learned from Everton 0-0 Arsenal<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p><span>Shkodran Mustafi has failed to make the grade during his three-and-a-half-year stay at the club and even when William Saliba joins in the summer, the Frenchman will offer nowhere near the level of experience required to help fire the <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-r67rpf4y2zhpneyj5lbhx58nw1eo1eyn\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Gunners<\/span> back into Europe&#8217;s elite.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Arsenal transfer targets<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Although not an immediate fix to any of <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-efj4lsyod7l4tk5kndxkklk5xtookf90\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal&#8217;s<\/span> problems, it is looking more and more likely that Sevilla starlet Antonio Zarzana will be Arteta&#8217;s first signing.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/arsenal-fc\/transfer-news\/latest-arsenal-transfer-rumours-ozil-17443633\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Football London<\/a>, the 17-year-old midfielder rejected an offer from Real Madrid last year and is also being courted by both <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-zelldx4difz3mm6wbqp3gg5d9512kse0\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/liverpool_f-c\">Liverpool<\/span> and Real Madrid. Zarzana already has extensive experience at Under-17 level for Spain, as well as in Sevilla&#8217;s B team and it now looks increasingly like Arteta will lure him to north London.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-z9i9uzvbaoswixpw188y58na1g4pq63s\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal&#8217;s<\/span> dream, realistic and wildcard January signings<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dream &#8211; Jonny Evans:\u00a0<\/strong>Arsenal fans are no doubt still regretting the fact their club missed out on Jonny Evans in 2018 for a price of just \u00a33.5m. The Northern Ireland international has been absolutely impeccable for the Foxes and has played a huge part in their charge to second in the <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-8rz5rp85t87dypfex2vphaxp9o7ikr9u\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/premier_league_2\">Premier League<\/span> table. <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-varshyr23yfaj1u5zrhqxqpmlnf3s6td\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">The Gunners<\/span> still need to fill that centre-back void, so could they be tempted to flex their superior financial muscle to finally bring Evans to north London?\u00a0<strong>Jonny Evans <a href=\"http:\/\/sports.williamhill.com\/bet\/en-gb\/betting\/g\/13825818\/Transfer+Special.html\/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=organic-social&amp;utm_campaign=ed-organic-football-13825818&amp;utm_term=na&amp;utm_content=na&amp;utm_targetcountry=uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">transfer odds<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong><span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-vbwp4efbjxy5ou6y9n7bnbgodbifmohz\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/manchester_city\">Man City<\/span> (4\/1), Arsenal (10\/1), <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-j1d21prsoka4l7m5zbpspymz9kfw7ckm\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/manchester_united\">Man Utd<\/span> (20\/1).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Realistic &#8211; Ivan Rakitic:\u00a0<\/strong>As mentioned, <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-opu0xhfkfu98nuioazky6t1hy4rz05au\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal<\/span> seriously need to add some dominance and control to their midfield, so who better to do that &#8211; based on availability &#8211; than Ivan Rakitic? The Croatia international has started just five La Liga games so far this season, falling below the likes of Arthur and Frenkie de Jong in the pecking order at Barcelona. Rakitic&#8217;s contract runs until the summer of 2021, so he wouldn&#8217;t come on the cheap, but given the depth he has in midfield, <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-vns2eyifcjpjgrvsd423gt1yru6q81zm\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ernesto_valverde\">Ernesto Valverde<\/span> may well be open to offers.\u00a0<strong>Ivan Rakitic <a href=\"http:\/\/sports.williamhill.com\/bet\/en-gb\/betting\/g\/13825818\/Transfer+Special.html\/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=organic-social&amp;utm_campaign=ed-organic-football-13825818&amp;utm_term=na&amp;utm_content=na&amp;utm_targetcountry=uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">transfer odds<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Juventus (5\/2), <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-82obc95j42um9y6pqpiefrxh9zn8i5np\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/manchester_united\">Man Utd<\/span> (11\/2), <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-lwr04etj0fta6m9d14alcvpie41b8i57\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal<\/span> (12\/1).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wildcard &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Dries Mertens:\u00a0<\/strong>He&#8217;s 32 years old and this one would likely hinge on the future of <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-casoqz6vel9msr6vgyucmp7e74kst3e7\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/pierre-emerick_aubameyang\">Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang<\/span>, but Dries Mertens has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.calciomercato.com\/news\/anche-due-club-inglesi-su-mertens-31418\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">linked<\/a> with <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-iykqr89jidk7e2k88dk5w7h4712hzsr0\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal<\/span> as recently as November and could provide a ready-made if a little short-term replacement for the Gabonese forward. Mertens has scored nine goals in all competitions for Napoli so far this season &#8211; including five in the Champions League group stages &#8211; and has been one of the most underrated forwards in Europe in recent years. The Belgium international&#8217;s contract expires at the end of the season, so this would definitely make financial sense for the <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-ic4tp5gcqf8ghgwei0k61tvop60c9oh3\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Gunners<\/span>.\u00a0<strong>Dries Mertens <a href=\"http:\/\/sports.williamhill.com\/bet\/en-gb\/betting\/g\/13825818\/Transfer+Special.html\/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=organic-social&amp;utm_campaign=ed-organic-football-13825818&amp;utm_term=na&amp;utm_content=na&amp;utm_targetcountry=uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">transfer odds<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Inter (7\/2), <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-hd42qdce62llrqxtt0axz7tqm5dzeyep\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal<\/span> (6\/1), Roma (7\/1).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Odds to sign for before 1st February 2020 with William Hill. 18+ only. For more information go to <a href=\"https:\/\/gambleaware.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GambleAware.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Possible Arsenal outgoings<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>While there is plenty of surgery to do on the <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-4vg6xyunnmg2bqndqiksduyqndgot8uh\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal<\/span> squad, there is also a lot of &#8216;dead weight&#8217; that needs shifting, as well as some longstanding questions over the future of some pretty big names.<\/p>\n<p>Comfortably top of that particular list is what lies ahead for a certain <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-saq8qp2h9bk41100nnyjv4xiymvhqiap\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/mesut_ozil\">Mesut Ozil<\/span>. The 31-year-old playmaker has been one of <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-vfpvwd17yzkraka8bzymll4r4s7377yn\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal&#8217;s<\/span> most important creative components over the years but has often been criticised for his lack of work rate and tendency to drift out of games &#8211;\u00a0<span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-yy0v3zv203n1ysfn3868fc7dw30exldj\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/mesut_ozil\">Ozil<\/span> has become something of a scapegoat for the <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-gsdoat3fleutqcn9ecmjilqg799zltlp\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Gunners<\/span>&#8216; failings.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1121647\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/20214538\/PA-Ozil-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1396\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/20214538\/PA-Ozil-1.jpg 1396w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/20214538\/PA-Ozil-1-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/20214538\/PA-Ozil-1-768x563.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/20214538\/PA-Ozil-1-1024x751.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/12\/20214538\/PA-Ozil-1-66x48.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1396px) 100vw, 1396px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>That said, <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-nfeoks996go401jkrza07i9yne8uhhdy\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/mesut_ozil\">Ozil<\/span> has managed just one assist in eight <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-l72z6g2yejqtnytha2mmn11phkkiq6a8\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/premier_league_2\">Premier League<\/span> games so far this season and is among the club&#8217;s highest earners &#8211; put that together and you have some rather expensive underperformance.<\/p>\n<p>Arteta recently stated <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-gpea07vos9p2r1ruybzhfjisdeujraue\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/mesut_ozil\">Ozil<\/span> is a &#8220;massive part&#8221; of the club&#8217;s plans, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/fenerbahce-chief-travels-london-thrash-21132381\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reports<\/a> continue to suggest talks are already ongoing between the Arsenal hierarchy and Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Given that <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-zz9tf3qspsld0tpbpln7o69elmio1e99\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/mesut_ozil\">Ozil<\/span> signed a new contract in January 2018, the <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-g4swnsvgimc6a7xkaagonykdtbc9l2ci\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Gunners<\/span> could still demand a pretty hefty sum for one of their most valuable assets, potentially arming Arteta with a little more swing to his transfer bat.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-bhuyzcnvn5pr6uwu9ulevsis8upcs2ys\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/mesut_ozil\">Ozil<\/span> isn&#8217;t the only big name seemingly huddling around the exit door, with fellow German\u00a0<span>Mustafi also regularly linked with a move away from <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-thb2uz3yvf8av9zczvv0epbh2cxtz3w8\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal<\/span>. Mustafi hasn&#8217;t exactly set the world alight since joining from Valencia in 2016 and the signing of David Luiz in the summer has only made his life harder &#8211; Saliba is also due to pitch up in north London at the end of the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Mustafi has been linked with the likes of Juventus and Roma in recent months and if a bid were to come in, it&#8217;s hard to imagine a universe where <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-0ys48n8nhteenawuoi1fuw4nyz8ayarv\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal<\/span> don&#8217;t accept.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1091236\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/05\/29173903\/PA-42128429-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/05\/29173903\/PA-42128429-2.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/05\/29173903\/PA-42128429-2-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/05\/29173903\/PA-42128429-2-768x525.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2019\/05\/29173903\/PA-42128429-2-66x45.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While Mustafi&#8217;s exit wouldn&#8217;t be such a bad thing for Arsenal fans, the potential departure of star striker\u00a0<span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-j9z67sldg5reqzvx9az7ipiazry4jd4v\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/pierre-emerick_aubameyang\">Aubameyang<\/span> will worry supporters. The 30-year-old bagged 22 <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-u88eqyq96poeym0ybe5ggjfeu6yn3tua\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/premier_league_2\">Premier League<\/span> goals last season to share the Golden Boot with Sadio Mane and <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-6t13qb81yc8r0r574bwei2bmkm5srgw6\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/mohamed_salah\">Mohamed Salah<\/span>, and has run up a very impressive strike rate of 54 in 84 appearances since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-bhq8252xymo59r58weeu63wfw6uwmay3\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">The Arsenal<\/span> captain is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/pierre-emerick-aubameyang-desperate-leave-21129742\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reportedly<\/a> &#8220;desperate&#8221; to leave the club and is now being linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid. His departure would be an absolute disaster for the <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-m2r1s9erzbv1mx0ek848lkyl2pj4ttr5\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Gunners<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>As mentioned, Xhaka has had a famously rough time of it this season and following his clash with Arsenal fans during their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, has been consistently linked with moves away to the likes of Newcastle United, AC Milan and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/arsenal-fc\/transfer-news\/arsenal-fans-granit-xhaka-transfer-17453230\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hertha Berlin<\/a>. Xhaka has managed to play himself back into contention in recent weeks, but this is certainly a situation that needs addressing quickly.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, Arteta must tend to the future of midfielder Torreira. The Uruguay international is a popular figure at the Emirates thanks to his robust, non-compromising approach but has found himself struggling for minutes on the pitch this term.<\/p>\n<p>Torreira was linked with AC Milan earlier this year but<a href=\"https:\/\/www.areanapoli.it\/calciomercato\/napoli-assalto-a-torreira-filtra-il-parere-del-regista-dell-arsenal-rodriguez-si-allontana-novita-su-milik_352803.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> reports<\/a> now suggest Napoli are the frontrunners for his signature. Given Torreira&#8217;s contract is set to run until 2023, the <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-hwdmuwnt2eqhkkud8z6vrp6yqf9dv3b9\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Gunners<\/span> won&#8217;t be looking to let him go on the cheap &#8212; if at all. Still, this is one of the first conversations Arteta must have once he&#8217;s settled behind his desk at <span id=\"urn:local-text-annotation-lj6hl8uc7bhoo8y9oayvad1ykezvinko\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/arsenal_f-c\">Arsenal&#8217;s<\/span> London Colney training ground.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mikel Arteta is through the door at the Emirates and now the hard work begins.\u00a0 Arsenal have made a disastrous start to the Premier League season, winning just of their last nine games in a run which has seen them sink to 10th in the table, seven points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea. The Gunners have&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":1121737,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Arsenal transfer plans for January 2020: Arteta targets and decisions","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"With the January transfer window looming, let's take a look at how things might pan out for Arsenal in the market. 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