Celtic are in for a reported Arsenal targetplaceholder image
Celtic are in for a reported Arsenal target | Getty Images
Arsenal could face a battle to land a free agent signing after the deadline.
Arsenal could have competition if they decide to go for a free agent signing after the Monday deadline passed. The Gunners were always going to have a quiet winter window having spent more than £200million on new signings in a bid to finally get that next Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta was handed an ultra strong squad with depth aplenty coming into this season, and it’s not a squad that needs upgrades.
After all, the whole point of adding such depth means such a squad should be able to cope with injuries, although Arteta and Andrea Berta did not want to see that theory tested. Unfortunately for the Gunners, though, it will be, with Mikel Merino having been ruled out for the rest of the season.
An Arsenal statement on Monday read: “Further to sustaining a foot injury towards the end of our game against Manchester United on January 25, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed Mikel Merino has a bone injury in his right foot.
“Mikel will have surgery in the coming days and will then begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme. Mikel is expected to be out of action for an extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season.”
On the back of that injury, Arteta was asked if he would be considering a new signing on deadline day. The Spaniard responded: “Of course, when you lose a big player like this in the squad with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to look and we need to do everything that we possibly can to see if we have a player that is available. If we don't, we keep what we have.”
The midfielder made 132 league appearances for the Gunners and went on to make 103 more with Liverpool prior to a move to Besiktas. After 38 league appearances there, the now 32-year-old was released and paid compensation to leave in August.
Oxlade-Chamberlain would not likely be anything but a supplementary or back-up player for the Gunners, but it has been claimed Arteta is considering adding the veteran as an option. With Oxlade-Chamberlain a free agent, the only deadline to the deal is the Premier League squad submission, which is usually around a week after the window closes.
Crucially, Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently training with Arsenal to stay fit.
Celtic interested in the Ox
Celtic are also said to be interested in Oxlade-Chamberlain, who won the Premier League during his time at Liverpool. According to Sky Sports News, the Scottish giants are considering a freebie deal and would be the main rivals to Arsenal should they look to pursue a deal, given the Bhoys may be able to offer him more football.
Celtic are currently six points off top spot in the Scottish Premier League, and they could do with some high-level experience, the type Oxlade-Chamberlain certainly possesses.
Continue Reading