Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are looking to sign a new winger in the upcoming transfer window to deal with Bukayo Saka’s injury blow.
Arsenal suffered a massive blow in their 5-1 win over Crystal Palace as Bukayo Saka picked up a hamstring injury. Mikel Arteta was forced to take him off in the 24th minute and the manager later suggested that the English international could be out for a while.
According to Mick Brown via Football Insider, the Gunners are formulating plans to sign a new winger in January as they look to deal with Saka’s latest injury blow. While they had been considering signing a wide attacker for some time now, the injury to their star will make it one of their top priorities for the upcoming transfer window.
Brown on Arsenal’s transfer plans following Saka’s injury
While speaking to Football Insider, the former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown said: “*They’re definitely going to look at a new winger,*”
“Because Saka being out for however long with a hamstring injury will have a massive impact on the team and on their plans for January.
“We spoke about it earlier this season, the recruitment team won’t wait until Saka gets injured and then panic about what they’re going to do.
“They’ve already been assessing potential options to replace him and to provide cover so that they can make a move in the January window.
“The transfer team are always prepared for any eventuality.
“Arsenal have been looking at wingers anyway, but Saka’s injury will probably push that higher up their list of priorities in the transfer window.
“But it may be that they can’t get the players they want anyway, particularly in January.
“You have to be absolutely sure that the player you get is the one you want, you can’t rush into a deal because you end up spending money on a player who, long-term, you don’t need.”
The 23-year-old got injured back in October as well. While he only missed a handful of games, the Gunners had realised the importance of having an ideal cover. The North London club have been on the lookout for a perfect fit ever since.
Arsenal want to bring in a new winger
With Gabriel Martinelli not performing at the expected level, the North London club wanted to bring in a top-quality winger in the winter. They wanted to sign someone who could unsettle the opposition defence and be an x-factor player in the final third of the pitch.
They were looking for an attacking signing and Saka’s injury might have just made it one of their top priorities. His absence could have a massive impact on their season and in order to ensure they are on the right track, they want to bring in someone who can easily fit into Arteta’s system.
Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard are the two main contenders to cover for Saka. While they could do a decent job, Arteta seeks more quality. Brown believes Arsenal’s recruitment team have been preparing for this for some time now. The Gunners do not want to rush into any deal and sign someone who is not needed in the long run. They want to bring the perfect player who can thrive under the Spanish manager.