Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta wants to bolster his squad in January
Arsenal are preparing to face Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night – but they are also looking ahead to the January transfer window.
There are now less than two weeks until the window opens, giving clubs a chance to bolster their ranks for the second half of the campaign. The area where Arsenal need to improve is obvious after their goalless draw against Everton on Saturday.
The continued struggles of Gabriel Jesus in front of goal has brought back the age-old debate about Arsenal’s need for another forward. Mikel Arteta ’s side have covered up the issue through their prolific work from set pieces, but their work in open play needs work.
It seems as though they might be tempted to make use of the January window to bring in some new blood in the area. Here are the latest transfer rumours and pieces of news ahead of the Palace game.
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Kudus being considered
Arsenal could make a big-money offer for West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus in January, according to talkSPORT. The Gunners need to improve their attacking output from open play and have identified Kudus as an option.
The Ghana international reportedly has a £85million release clause in his contract that will become active in the summer, which could push forward Arsenal's move to January. Kudus joined West Ham from Ajax for £38m in the summer of 2023. He has 16 goals and eight assists in 58 games for the club altogether.
Arsenal would need to sell in order to sign Kudus, who has two goals and two assists in 13 games this season and is under contract with the Hammers until June 2028, with the option of a further year. Leandro Trossard could be sold to make room for Kudus, having previously attracted interest from Saudi Arabian clubs.
Kiwior complicates things
Arsenal have struggled with injuries of late, especially in defence, and Arteta has been forced to call upon squad players to plug the gaps. Jakub Kiwior filled in for Gabriel Magalhaes before he returned against Everton – but now there’s an issue.
According to reports in Italy, Kiwior has asked his agents to find him a new club due to a lack of opportunities with Arsenal. The Polish international has consistently been linked with a move back to Serie A and Napoli are said to be interested in his services.
Arsenal understandably don’t want to weaken their squad mid-season so will resist any departures.
Rice injury verdict
Declan Rice should be available on Wednesday ( Image: Rob Newell/Getty Images)
Declan Rice should be fine to face Palace on Wednesday after doing his best to shake off a knock. The Arsenal midfielder was substituted against Everton, but Arteta did not sound too concerned in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
"He's fine, we'll make the decision whether he is available or not,” Arteta said when asked about Rice. There was worse news about Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has missed the last three matches: “Oleksandr will still be out of the squad tomorrow."
Defence is an area of concern. Riccardo Calafiori could also miss out again, while full-backs Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain unavailable with knee injuries.
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