Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern have been thoroughly enjoying themselves in recent weeks, confident their side can genuinely win the Premier League title, although they accept there’s work to do.
One issue the Gooners at the bar are pointing at is the potential problems within the squad that could emerge due to injury, as they declare their side must add to their ranks in January if they are to end their 11-year wait for a Premier League crown.
Defensive midfield and forwards remain the problem for the Gunners in the fans eyes, who are confident that Arsene Wenger will do what he failed to in the summer and manage to add a senior outfield player to their squad.
Below, they’ve chosen five players who they realistically believe the club could sign in January- and state any number of them will make them a surefire bet for champions come May.
Hit Arsene Wenger below to see FIVE realistic January signings for Arsenal!
[ffc-gallery]
[/ffc-gallery]
Nolito
The Celta Vigo forward has been in excellent form for the Spanish side this season, helping them achieve a shock start to the La Liga season- where they top the table alongside Barcelona and Real Madrid at the time of writing.
Whilst the recently-capped Spaniard has declared he will not leave until the end of the season at the earliest, the situation could change before then. Barcelona are also keen on the player, but Celta are likely to prefer to sell abroad.
If Celta find themselves hitting a blip before January, which ends their quest for European football prematurely, then Nolito could choose an exit; which would strengthen the Gunners, as he can play wide or centrally.
William Carvalho
A long-term target for the Gunners, William Carvalho, could finally leave Sporting Lisbon in January- but Arsenal need to be wary, as the player has been linked with signing a new contract with the Portuguese club that would see his asking price raise significantly.
Arsenal have seen Francis Coquelin excel in a deep-lying midfield position but an injury to the Frenchman could prove catastrophic to their Premier League title push, as Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini continue to struggle with injury concerns.
Adrien Rabiot
Another potential midfield recruit for Arsenal is a man who, like Carvalho, has been linked to the Gunners for a while. Adrien Rabiot was heavily linked in the summer of 2014 but remained with Paris Saint-Germain; though it looks like he will leave in January.
The French midfielder and his family are not happy with the lack of playing time he is being offered with the Ligue 1 champions and Roma are favourites for his signature. However, Arsenal can offer the chance of European football and success- of which Roma may struggle to secure.
Ruben Neves
Ruben Neves is shaping-up to be the saga of the year, with the 18-year-old Porto midfielder being linked with a goal host of Premier League clubs. Liverpool and Chelsea are eying a move but Arsenal’s emergence in the race could shake things up a bit.
The teenager recently captained Porto in the Champions League, becoming the youngest player to do so in the tournament’s history, and the Portuguese club will be determined to keep hold of the excellent star; with the club president recently declaring his intention for the player to become a legend.
Aleksander Kokorin
Of all the striking options linked to Arsenal in recent months, Russian striker Aleksander Kokorin seems the most likely to sign. On the face of it, Arsenal’s problems are not a lack of goalscorer but instead a low number of options at top.
Theo Walcott has excelled this season, whilst Olivier Giroud has found form, but the continued absence of Danny Welbeck leaves Arsenal’s numbers up-top lacking. Another injury, or suspension, could prove extremely problematic.
Kokorin wouldn’t be an immediate first-team regular but would provide more competition and depth, which will be crucial for the title race.
