Arsenal are off to a flyer in the defence of their Premier League crown, but ins and outs could still be needed in the January transfer window
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta embraces Martin Zubimendi at full-time following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on April 07, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Mikel Arteta may have to let go of Martin Zubimendi(Image: 2026 Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)
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Arsenal are laying the foundations for more silverware this season. The Gunners won't be getting ahead of themselves but have established a three-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.
They can now turn their attention to climbing the Champions League standings against Slavia Prague on Wednesday. The sole significant disappointment has been their early Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of League Two's Fleetwood Town on penalties.
Yet that does go some way to alleviating their fixture pile-up ahead of an already congested festive schedule following the second international break of the season. There will undoubtedly be plenty of surprises along the way.
Mikel Arteta shows no signs of complacency, with the January transfer window expected to be a particularly active one at Emirates Stadium.
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Saliba plan, Dowman and touching Arsenal tribute
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Attacking reinforcements eyed
Arsenal's backline has once again been outstanding so far this campaign, with summer acquisition Ezri Konsa more than capably filling in for the injured William Saliba, who has now returned to training. As widely anticipated following their failure to secure a high-profile forward signing, it is their attacking options which remain the primary cause for concern.
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Per Mirror Football, Arteta is keen to address that situation when the transfer market reopens for the winter window. The club are eager to rekindle their interest in Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, though the Cherries are reluctant to part with him in January.
Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz remains amongst their targets too as they seek to bolster the left flank. The chief priority appears to be a versatile attacker capable of operating across several positions.
Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth whose currently out with a long term injury before the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and AFC Bournemouth at Estadio Anoeta on September 17, 2026
Kroupi is back from injury(Image: AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Martin Zubimendi 'wants out'
While fortunes appear to be improving for the majority of the Arsenal squad, it's been a difficult start to the season for Martin Zubimendi. Since returning from Spain's World Cup triumph, the midfielder has found his playing time drastically reduced.
Following a mixed debut season in north London, he now finds himself below Bruno Guimaraes in the midfield hierarchy. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Mikel Merino have largely been preferred as rotation choices too.
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According to TEAMtalk, this has prompted him to reach a decision regarding his future. Zubimendi is reportedly prepared to depart in January in order to revitalise his career.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are all said to be interested in bringing him back to his native country. With his contract running until 2030, Arsenal will undoubtedly be eager to recover the £60m they invested to secure his signature last year.