Arsenal Eyes Dream Signings for January 2026 Transfer Window
By the time January's transfer window opens, there's a significant chance Arsenal will be confident about their prospects of securing up to four different trophies this campaign.
The recruitment team led by Andrea Berta has provided Mikel Arteta with a roster capable of challenging across various competitions. Last season, injuries revealed insufficient squad depth in crucial positions, enabling Liverpool to cruise to the championship.
However, Arsenal's overall quality cannot be disputed this time around. Even with several important players missing, the Gunners top the Premier League table and have dominated in European competition. Recent stumbles have reduced their domestic lead, but Arteta's team remains favored to capture their first league title in over two decades.
Their summer recruitment efforts have contributed significantly to this season's achievements, with substantial investment and the absence of gaps in Arteta's current lineup likely to restrict Arsenal's January expenditure.
Nevertheless, Arteta and north London's decision-makers will be seeking the "market opportunities" he frequently mentions when transfer periods arrive.
The Gunners might be targeting these types of players come January.
Superstar Left Winger
The demanding segment of Arsenal fans desired a marquee left-sided attacker to cap off their summer window, but securing Piero Hincapié was the sole transaction completed on transfer deadline day.
Consequently, the Gunners began this campaign with identical wide options from their underwhelming 2024-25 finish, though they also added Noni Madueke, who typically operates on the right flank.
Madueke has seldom been deployed on the left so far, with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli continuing to split most playing time. Both players have served as targets for criticism during various periods of their Arsenal tenures. Trossard has frequently been labeled an impact substitute who struggles when starting matches, while Martinelli hasn't fulfilled his early potential shown as a youngster.
Nevertheless, both have excelled in separate competitions this season. The Brazilian has impressed in European fixtures while Trossard has regularly delivered in domestic attacking situations. Each has aided the club's achievements, suggesting no urgent requirement to strengthen this position in winter.
Yet Arsenal might be enticed by certain players who could become obtainable.
Key Targets
Should Arsenal pursue reinforcement on their left wing, it would likely involve a player Arteta considers transformational.
Some advocate for pursuing Real Madrid's Rodrygo or AC Milan's Rafael Leão, but can you envision the Portuguese adapting to Arteta's defensive requirements? Those believing Arsenal can financially secure the unsettled Vinicius Junior are extremely unrealistic.
Therefore, it's difficult to identify where Arsenal might turn to satisfy supporters demanding a stellar attacking addition. Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo supported Arsenal as a youth and could emerge as an option if the Gunners suffer additional attacking injuries. His release clause stands at £65 million when the winter window opens.
Project Centre Forward
Arsenal possess over £100 million in traditional strikers, yet Arteta's most productive choices are two former midfielders.
While Kai Havertz might remain sidelined until 2026, Mikel Merino has proven a capable replacement when required. Generally, Arsenal appear to function more smoothly with the creative Spaniard spearheading their attack compared to Viktor Gyökeres, who joined Arsenal for £55 million during summer. Many remain unconvinced by the Swede's beginning, which has been hampered by fitness issues.
Still, the investment in Gyökeres prevents Arsenal from making another major striker signing in 2026. What they might consider is acquiring a future goalscorer, potentially replacing Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has endured terrible injury luck since the 2022 World Cup and may have lost Arteta's confidence.
Palmeiras reportedly showed interest in their former prospect.
Key Targets
Arsenal are already planning for the coming decade. They've completed signings of Ecuadorian teenage brothers Edwin and Holger Quintero from Independiente del Valle, while 20-year-old midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, who's emerged with surprising La Liga side Elche this season, has also drawn attention.
Building connections in prestigious talent development regions worldwide represents a solid starting point for Arsenal, and the club surely monitored developments at Qatar's U17 World Cup closely. Portugal's Anísio Cabral and Brazil's Dell both enjoyed successful tournaments.
Agustín Ruberto claimed that tournament's Golden Boot in 2023 and has previously attracted Premier League attention. He emerged from River Plate's celebrated youth system.