Arsenal are chasing down a first Premier League title in 12 years- and to do that the Gunners are likely to add recruits in January.
However, the New Year isn’t usually a time when big names are on the move; so who could Arsenal realistically sign to bolster their midfield?
It’s a difficult scenario, as many of the names Arsene Wenger would like won’t be available until the summer, but there should be plenty of options available; especially with frustrated faces across Europe.
We asked Jonathan Kaney to draw-up a list of five players Arsenal could add to their midfield in January, all of whom are realistic additions to make in the mid-season window.
It has to be said, any of these midfielders would provide a major boost to the Gunners season!
Let us know which player you’d prefer to see Arsenal sign in the comments below!
Isco
Creative magician Isco is one of the most gifted players in La Liga and has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal over the past few months. Despite being a fan favourite and putting in some dynamic performances in time at the Bernabeu, he just can’t seem to nail down a regular place in the first team and cuts a frustrated figure in Madrid.
With reports that he has handed in a transfer request, Arsene Wenger could well make a move for him in January to bolster our already outstanding attacking options and provide healthy competition.
Grzegorz Krychowiak
With defensive midfield cover a transfer priority, the club are being heavily linked with Sevilla star Grzegorz Krychowiak in January according to reports from Spain. A powerful defensive midfielder with height, strength and pace, Krychowiak provides a different option in the first team to the classy Cazorla and combative Coquelin and is a big improvement on the ageing Rosicky, Arteta and Flamini.
He was linked with us all summer, and at 25 and proven on the European stage, he would provide healthy competition in the centre of the pitch throughout a long season at the Emirates that could see us suffer if we lost Santi or Coquelin to injury.
Hakan Calhanoglu
Leverkusen star Hakan Calhanoglu has been dubbed the ‘New Mesut Ozil’ and is another midfielder that Arsene Wenger is reported to be extremely keen on. The 21-year-old Turkish international had an excellent season last term scoring 12 goals in all competitions and providing eight assists.
He’s carried on his strong form by scoring five times already this season and has earned himself a reputation as a lethal marksman and dead ball specialist. Arsene Wenger could well make a move for him in January to stop a summer bidding war other elite clubs.
Leroy Sane
The 19-year-old German is one of the brightest talents in world football and put clubs across Europe on alert after scoring his seventh goal in nine games for club and country, coming off the bench to rescue a 2-2 draw for Schalke against Sparta Prague in the Europa League.
The dynamic winger is developing in to an outstanding attacking midfield player and a January move to Arsenal could be on the cards for the young German as Arsene Wenger looks to snap him up before another elite club does.
Nigel De Jong
This one is wild card, but an option Arsene is rumoured to be considering with a defensive midfielder a priority in January. The experienced Dutch enforcer has been linked with the club in recent windows and with him falling down the pecking order at AC Milan and making recent comments to the media that he is unhappy with his situation, he could be available for a cut price.
At 30, he is an experienced and ready-made backup for Francis Coquelin and would add some much needed steel to our midfield in the absence of the Frenchman.