Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has injury issues ahead of the Brighton clashplaceholder image
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has injury issues ahead of the Brighton clash | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal are cruising to the Premier League title but work is well underway to strengthen in the January transfer window.
Arsenal are a club in cruise control with every player knowing their role after Mikel Arteta added to a well-balanced squad in the summer.
Compare and contrast with Liverpool who spent big, but failed to recruit the players that they needed or who fit the manager’s style of play. The biggest difference between the two sides is in the defence with the Gunners only having conceded six goals and Arne Slot’s side letting in 20 already and yet this is where the Premier League leaders could strengthen in January.
Swap deal Arsenal could offer to land Murillo
The left-sided Brazilian is on a long-term contract at Forest and would command a sizeable transfer fee given his importance to their chances of staying in the league. Finding a replacement in January would be a difficult task, unless a player was offered as part of a swap deal. One option could be to send Mosquera to the City ground on loan for the rest of the season which would fill the gap left by Murillo and given them time to find a permanent replacement.
Another option could be to include Ben White as part of any proposal with the converted centre-half struggling for game time behind Julien Timber at right-back. The 28-year old might welcome the chance to stay in the Premier League and play more consistently. He is in the unfortunate position where he has done well, but there are better players in front of him.
White is the one that would make the most sense as his long-term future at Arsenal is less certain than Mosquera, who has been hugely impressive since his summer arrival in North London - and Arteta would likely to be resistant to losing him as part of any swap proposal.
What Murillo said about who he wants to join
Murillo has addressed moving on from Forest already and there is good news for Arteta if he gives the green light to make a move for the 23-year old.
Speaking last season on the Benja Me Mucho podcast, he said: “I thought, ‘I’ll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I’ll go to a big club’. I had that in my head. I’d choose Manchester City but it would be more difficult for me to be a regular starter given the players they have in their squad. There’s City, Arsenal as well who are fighting for the Premier League title.”
Not afraid to annoy his parent club, Murillo also added another team who might not be so high on his list now.
“I wouldn’t discard Liverpool either,” he added. It would be a good opportunity for me to show my football in a big club.” It is clear that the player, currently involved in a relegation battle, would be interested in joining Arsenal, whether Forest would be so keen is another story.
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