Arsenal could dip into the market for younger players now their first team squad is settled after a busy summer window
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta faces a crucial second half of the season(Image: Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal are top of the league and set to fight on all four fronts next year. They still face the challenge of a chasing Manchester City, but Mikel Arteta's team are looking equally formidable this season.
On Christmas Day, they're two points clear of Pep Guardiola's side, with Aston Villa also keeping pace in third. Premier League champions Liverpool have endured a less-than-impressive campaign and are not looking threatening to the Gunners, who are looking for their first league title in over 20 years.
There were a number of high-profile signings last summer, with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze linking up with the squad and providing more firepower for Arteta.
Despite their lead at the top of the table, as Premier League fans well know, City are relentless and Arsenal will spend the rest of the campaign looking over their shoulder if they retain their lead for the foreseeable future.
Arsenal sign £40m star
Signing Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille would be a superb way to kick off the January window. The 18-year-old midfielder is a hugely promising talent and would not only provide fans with a glimpse into their future, but also give Arteta more options in the middle of the park.
Arsenal are said to be prepared to offer just shy of £40m for the French under-21 international, who is also being watched by PSG, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille OSC
Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille OSC(Image: Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
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Speaking previously, the player said: "I have extended until 2029 and next year is still far away. I am focused on this season and we have things to fight for.
"As I also said to the president (Olivier Létang), at the end of the season, there will be a choice to be made, and anything can happen. We don’t know what will happen."
Given the Gunners' squad depth, Bouaddi is far from a must next month. But they can now afford to be greedy and get ahead of the game for future targets.
AC Milan duo join
As part of the club's youth-centric transfer strategy, Arsenal are reportedly interested in a double swoop for AC Milan duo Davide Bartesaghi and Lorenzo Torriani, according to Calciomercato
Bartesaghi is a 19-year-old left-back while Torriani is a 20-year-old goalkeeper. Both players have played for the first team and are very highly rated.
Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan
Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan(Image: Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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If moves are to happen, it's more likely these will take place in the summer, but we're living the transfer window dream here! With Arsenal signing a multitude of high-quality players in their prime years over the last few windows, moving for a couple of younger players would be a wise move under the new strategy.
In fact, it will protect them from splashing the cash in the future. Furthermore, moving in January could give them time to get the deals over the line before other clubs rear their heads for the duo.