16 hours Ago
Arsenal enter 2025 with their attack in need of reinforcing. While media reports often focus on the prospect of a new centre-forward, there are arguably requirements on the flank and in creative midfield too. The question is whether that is an achievable task in January, an awkward market in which many clubs are reluctant to sell and some players are cautious about moving.
Money can overcome most of these obstacles but Arsenal must weigh up whether they are prepared to potentially overpay in January for someone they are confident of landing in the summer. Advertisement They are active in the market and ready to explore opportunities but this may be a quiet month. Arsenal anticipate a reactive window — one which will be informed by the needs of the squad.
They consider themselves to be in a title race, and if injuries — such as the loss of both Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling — force them into the market, they will be prepared to act. While Arsenal’s immediate focus is on extracting more from their existing players, manager Mikel Arteta suggested the club would be open to a new signing if an external solution was required, identified and feasible. “The preparation is done and we are ready if something happens,” Arteta told the media on December 23.
“Obviously we didn’t predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem at the same time. We predicted more it would be something else, for example if something happened in the defensive line, but the job is done. “Then, OK, if something has to happen, we will be open.
But the main focus is now, how will we extract still a lot of potential that there is in this squad.” There is still a concerted effort to invest in younger, developing players — prospects who could eventually compete for a place in the first team or be sold for substantial profit. More on that below in The Athletic ’s Arsenal DealSheet.
.. What positions will they be looking at in January? Arsenal are once again open to improving their options at No 9.
They are conscious, however, that buying a striker in January could mean significantly overpaying. They are also scouring the market for a wide forward to cover for Saka or compete with Gabriel Martinelli . Furthermore, the club’s decision-makers know they will probably need to refresh Arteta’s midfield options in 2025, with Jorginho and Thomas Partey out of contract in the summer.
Whether those requirements are attended to in January is another matter. Advertisement Squad needs often inform any January business. If injuries continue to strike in defence, Arsenal may be forced to look at a sticking-plaster solution to ensure they have sufficient depth until the end of the season.
The emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly as a serious option at left-back has somewhat assuaged that need. One factor complicating January recruitment is that as Arsenal have already loaned Bournemouth ’s Neto and Chelsea ’s Sterling, they cannot sign another Premier League player on loan. They can, however, make loan signing from outside the Premier League.
Arsenal are expected to continue their attempts to add top emerging UK and global talent to the academy and the fringes of the first team — deals like the signing of 18-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford from Ajax. It is fundamental to Arsenal’s model that if they want to continue to invest and improve the squad, they need to make sales. Arsenal brought in considerable cash in the summer, with Emile Smith Rowe , Aaron Ramsdale , Eddie Nketiah and others departing permanently.
However, with those deals now done, Arsenal do not have too many more players with the criteria Premier League buyers are typically looking for — the right age, international credentials and experience in domestic football. Arsenal have now sold most of the obvious saleable assets in the squad. Ensuring that production line continues is vital to remaining competitive in the long term.
Arsenal will be recruiting players as potential future stars, but also sensible investments who can add value to the squad. Which players do they want? Long-term targets such as Benjamin Sesko and Nico Williams remain of interest, but are not expected to be attainable in mid-season. Although he is not currently among their primary targets, Arsenal are long-term admirers of Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers .
They have been impressed by his performances this season and are monitoring his situation. That said, it is difficult to imagine Wolves parting with him midway through a season that appears destined to end in a relegation battle. Were Wolves to go down, however, a market opportunity could present itself.
Who will they be looking to sell? One player who could leave Arsenal permanently is Kieran Tierney . Arsenal have declined to take up the optional year in his contract , so his deal will expire in the summer of 2025. The January window therefore represents the last opportunity to recoup some cash for his services — but with such a chequered injury record, interested clubs are likely to drive a hard bargain.
Advertisement Arsenal may once again field interest in Leandro Trossard . The 30-year-old was the subject of a deadline-day bid from Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad in the summer, which they dismissed out of hand. Trossard’s suitors are likely to receive a similar response this time: for the remainder of the season at least, the Belgian remains an important part of Arteta’s plans.
Will anyone move out on loan? In the summer, it seemed reasonable to suggest that either Lewis-Skelly or Ethan Nwaneri could be allowed to leave on loan at the season’s halfway point. Since then, however, both have demonstrated their value to Arteta and they are needed at Arsenal. Even if such a clause were to exist, Sterling has no intention of terminating his deal with Arsenal early, and is fully focused on making an impact in the second half of the campaign.
Some academy players may leave on loan. Sam Hayball, Arsenal’s pathway and loans manager, has been working on identifying appropriate moves for developing players. Dutch winger Ismeal Kabia , 19, is one of the prime candidates for a loan.
Centre-back Maldini Kacurri , who made his debut in the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers , is another 19-year-old Arsenal feel would benefit from regular senior football — although finding the appropriate level for a young centre-half’s first loan is always challenging. There is loan interest in former Ajax goalkeeper Setford . With Setford the third choice in the senior squad, Arsenal would only contemplate letting him go if they signed an experienced replacement.
January is a notoriously difficult market for goalkeepers, so the strong likelihood is that Setford continues his development at London Colney. What moves have they made already? The only real work Arsenal have undertaken on the January transfer window is the same work that is ongoing year-round: building relationships with players, agents and clubs to ensure they are in a strong position when that player decides to move. With young players, this is particularly important.
Arsenal are putting in groundwork with several teenage prospects, ensuring that when they are old enough to join, they are in pole position. Who will make the key decisions in January? Arsenal’s transfer business will be led by their interim sporting director, Jason Ayto. His role has been narrowed to focus specifically on supporting the men’s first team.
Ayto will be supported by the football leadership committee, which includes executive vice-chair Tim Lewis, managing director Richard Garlick and director of football operations James King. The final say in first-team transfers, however, will lie with manager Arteta. GO DEEPER Jason Ayto, the Arsenal scout turned interim sporting director who has 'something special' What is their PSR position? In the summer, Arsenal brought in significant money by selling Smith Rowe , Nketiah and Ramsdale , effectively offsetting their squad-building spending.
This strengthened their profit and sustainability (PSR) position and means they have some flexibility to spend in January — if the right deal presents itself. That said, they continue to be very mindful of the regulations. What sort of budget do they have? That we don’t know — but putting a number on it would most likely be an oversimplification.
If the right player and the right deal present themselves, Arsenal’s owners have shown previously they are willing to sanction spending. The likelihood remains, however, that budget will be reserved for the summer, when the market is more favourable. What is the manager’s priority? Behind closed doors, Arteta is echoing the same sentiment he has shared publicly — that his biggest priority is to keep his existing players fit and extract more from them.
That said, managers always want superior players at their disposal. If the club improve his options, he’ll presumably be delighted. (Top photos: Getty Images).
