The picture of potential ins and outs at Arsenal in the winter transfer window is growing clearer
Mikel Arteta, Manager / Head Coach of Arsenal celebrates towards the fans following the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC
Mikel Arteta will be a happy man if January goes to plan(Image: Getty)
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It's shaping up to be another successful season for Arsenal. While it's still very much early days, the Gunners have opened up a three-point gap at the Premier League summit.
They can now look to climb towards the top of the Champions League table with a very winnable fixture away at Slavia Prague on Wednesday. The only notable low point has been their premature Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two's Fleetwood Town on penalties.
But that does help to somewhat ease their fixture congestion heading into a packed festive period after the second international break of the season. There will be plenty of twists and turns along the way.
Double January swoop plotted
Arsenal's defence has once again been immense so far this season, with summer signing Ezri Konsa perfectly deputising for the injured William Saliba, who's now back in training. As many predicted after failing to secure a marquee forward arrival, it's their attack which is the main area of concern.
We've reported that Arteta is pushing to resolve that when the transfer market re-opens for the winter window. They're keen to revisit their interest in Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, although the Cherries are reluctant to sell in January.
Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz remains on the list of targets too as they look to strengthen the left flank. But the priority is a versatile forward who can play in multiple positions.
Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi
Kroupi has just returned from injury for Bournemouth(Image: Malcolm Couzens/Getty Image)
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£60m star 'wants out'
While things are looking up for most of the Arsenal squad, it's not been a good few weeks for Martin Zubimendi. Since returning from winning the World Cup with Spain, the midfielder has seen his minutes severely limited.
After a mixed first season in north London, he now finds himself behind Bruno Guimaraes in the midfield pecking order. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Mikel Merino have largely been favoured as rotation options.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talks to Martin Zubimendi during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 15, 2025 in London Colney, England.
Zubimendi isn't getting the minutes he desires from Arteta(Image: 2025 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
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And according to TEAMtalk, that's led him to make his mind up on his future. Zubimendi is said to be ready to leave in January to get his career back on track.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are credited with an interest in taking him back to his home country. With a contract until 2030, Arsenal will no doubt be keen to at least recoup the £60m they spent to sign him last year.
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