Arsenal are in a strong position to challenge on all fronts this season, and Mikel Arteta may be wise to add to his squad before the January transfer window slams shut
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer
18:00, 21 Jan 2026
Coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal FC reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro
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Mikel Arteta has expressed regret over one of Arsenal's January dealings(Image: Marco Mantovani, Getty Images)
A seventh win in as many Champions League outings has placed Arsenal in an enviable position irrespective of the transfer window. The Gunners are battling across four competitions while seeking to finally break their Premier League title jinx, providing even greater incentive to strengthen their ranks.
Mikel Arteta's side demolished Inter Milan 3-1 at the San Siro on Tuesday night to establish a commanding six-point advantage at the summit with just one fixture remaining. The north Londoners have now secured their place in the competition's knockout stages and boast a perfect record thus far in Europe.
They also hold a seven-point cushion over Manchester City at the Premier League's pinnacle. Nevertheless, the club has grown familiar with late-season collapses that have derailed their title ambitions in previous campaigns.
This indicates it would be prudent for Arsenal to strengthen now rather than rue missed chances later, as football.london examines the latest speculation surrounding the Emirates as Arteta seeks to capitalise on an outstanding opening half of the season.
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Bidon asking price revealed
One potential new signing at the Emirates that has been mentioned for some time is Breno Bidon. While speculation surrounding Arsenal's interest in the player is nothing new, details of his reported price tag have now emerged.
And the situation isn't as bad as initially feared, with ESPN Brasil revealing the player could depart this month if a suitor meets his £21million valuation. Bidon, who has been dubbed 'the Brazilian Pedri', has been a key figure at Corinthians in recent seasons and already has 103 senior outings to his name despite being only 20 years old.
Breno Bidon of Corinthians gestures during a Brasileirao 2025 match between Corinthians and Fluminense at Neo Quimica Arena
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Breno Bidon's reported £21million price tag is very much within Arsenal's range(Image: Riquelve Nata/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
The adaptable midfielder can operate in numerous roles, a characteristic shared by many of Arteta's recent signings. He would also find familiar company in London with the Brazilian contingent of Gabriels: Magalhaes, Jesus and Martinelli.
Several other major European clubs are reportedly monitoring the youngster, who is being tipped for his maiden senior Brazil call-up. Corinthians seem to have identified their preferred successor, with Wolfsburg's Vinicius Souza allegedly topping their list of targets should Bidon move on.
Discussing the possibility of Bidon's January exit, Corinthians manager Dorival Junior recently said: "He's a very important player. And if I'm being honest with you, I wouldn't like to lose any player. We need to find balance so we can have a strong squad throughout the year. That is our biggest challenge."
Arteta regret over Nwaneri
With everything going so swimmingly at the Emirates this term, it's hard to identify many negatives around the club. Nevertheless, Arteta harbours at least one regret after confessing he wished he could have handed Ethan Nwaneri more playing time as the winger prepares for a loan move to Marseille.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talks ot Ethan Nwaneri during a training sesssion at Sobha Realty Training Centre
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Arteta wished he could have given Ethan Nwaneri more minutes as the player prepares to join Marseille on loan(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
All indications point to the 18-year-old spending the remainder of the campaign in the south of France after Arsenal reportedly approved the arrangement. Nwaneri had a breakthrough season last year but has only started four matches out of 12 appearances across all competitions this term.
His last league outing was back in November, and a temporary switch could be precisely what the youngster requires. While the move appears to make sense for everyone involved, Arteta has expressed a degree of regret that he hasn't been able to give the academy graduate more opportunities.
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"I don't know," said Arteta when questioned about the latest developments on Nwaneri's proposed loan. "We'll have a discussion this week. Obviously he's not having the minutes that probably he deserves as well and he needs at his age.
"We will address the situation and see what is best. Let's see. We have to sit down and discuss how we want to move that forward."
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