We used Football Manager 2026 to find out what Arsenal’s January could look likeplaceholder image
We used Football Manager 2026 to find out what Arsenal’s January could look like | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
We used Football Manager 2026 to find out what Arsenal’s January could look like
After three successive seasons of having to settle for silver, Arsenal are very much going for gold after establishing an impressive six point gap at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal have never had a better opportunity to end their 20+ year wait for a league title, but are experienced enough now to know that there’s no room for complacency in one of the most demanding leagues in the world. With that in mind, we turned to the most accurate simulation of the footballing future available - Football Manager 2026, to see what Arsenal might do in terms of recruitment both in terms of incomings and outgoings.
Arsenal sign Bayern Munich and Sporting CP stars in bold January prediction
Leon Goretzka: signed from Bayern Munich for £24.5m: FM26 is predicting that Arsenal will bolster their midfield options with two marquee additions. The first is Goretska in a £24.5m deal with Bayern Munich. Goretzka is a 67-time German international and one of the finest midfielders in the Bundesliga, he’s made nearly 300 appearances for Bayern over the course of his career and has won six league titles, two German Cups and most notably the Champions League. The 30-year-old is out-of-contract in the summer, which partially explains the low price tag. However, it’s hard to see Bayern cashing in when he’s rated so highly by Vincent Kompany.
Pedro Gonçalves: signed from Sporting CP for £69m: Arsenal already have a wealth of attacking talent at their disposal, but FM26 forecasts that Mikel Arteta could enhance his options further with a move for Sporting fan favourite Gonçalves (referred to as Poto on the game). He’s viewed as one of the very best wide players in Portugal and played a fundamental part in last season’s title triumph, incredibly he was once on the books at basement side Wolves without ever getting a real first team opportunity.
Arsenal superstar departs for £27m as Leeds United recruit youngster
Gabriel Martinelli: signed by Bayern Munich for £27m: Gonçalves arrival on FM26, signals the end for Martinelli after six years in North London. He joins Bayern Munich in this version of events to fill the void left by Leroy Sane after his move to Galatasaray last summer.
Osman Kamara: loan move to Leeds United: Kamara follows in the footsteps of former Gunners striker Eddie Nketiah by making a loan move to Elland Road. The 19-year-old left-winger is yet to play for Arsenal’s first team, but has remarkably been capped three times at international level for Sierra Leone.
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