Five players who could join Arsenal before January window closes
Martin Macdonald
- 24 Jan 2022 14:31 GMT
- 4 min read
It seems to be one step forward and two steps back for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta as the club has went through a torrid period of form since the turn of the year.
In the summer of 2021, no club in the Premier League spent more than the Gunners, with no less than six senior players joining - Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Aaron Ramsdale and Nuno Tavares.
Even with the major transfer outlay in the summer, Arsenal are desperate for reinforcements six months later as they are short in the midfield and at centre-forward in particular.
Centre-forward has became a priority over the last couple of months due to the situation surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the fact he was stripped of the captaincy and seems unlikely to play for the club again.
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Here are five stars who could arrive before the January window shuts.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
Everton had a torrid time under Rafa Benitez which ultimately led to the Spaniard's dismissal, and if their current downward spiral continues it won't be long before their star players look for a transfer away.
The absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin was one of the main reasons behind Everton's form as his injury left them short of a focal point, and quality, up front.
He returned to the side against Brighton, and missed a penalty, and will be looking to improve his match fitness in the coming weeks, something he'd need to prove before Arsenal started to consider a deal.
Everton would also demand a high transfer fee, especially as it's mid-season.
Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad)
Although Alexander Isak may not be as widely tipped for success as Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland, the young Swede is still one of European football’s most exciting prospects.
The Real Sociedad striker has quickly turned his career around in Spain after a tricky start to senior football at Borussia Dortmund, and is now attracting interest from some of the continent’s biggest clubs.
Arsenal will not be in the market for a Haaland or Mbappe as they simply aren't an elite enough side at the moment, but, they could potentially take the punt, albeit an expensive one, on another potential gem in Isak.
Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)
Arsenal's dream signing in the transfer window would be Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic.
While Haaland is stealing most of the headlines as Europe's best young striker, Vlahovic has been impressively going about his business in Italy.
He scored 21 Serie A goals last season, and has impressively racked up 17 goals in the opening 21 league games of this campaign.
Numerous big clubs want Vlahovic though, and Arsenal will need to present an incredible offer to the player and his agent to make a deal happen.
At the moment, it seems like Vlahovic himself prefers a move to Juventus.
Aaron Ramsey (Juventus)
Although it probably wouldn't be the most popular acquisition among Arsenal fans, the club has been linked with Aaron Ramsey in the January transfer window.
The Welshman would not represent a marquee signing, either, but the Gunners need more players at the club who can play central midfield.
Ramsey is a good player and can still play at the highest level, and it is up for debate as to whether he would represent a more stable option in midfield than any of the current crop at Arsenal, namely Granit Xhaka and Sambi.
He would come for free, but would command huge wages.
Bruno Guimaraes (Lyon)
The most recent central midfielder to be linked with Arsenal is Lyon's Bruno Guimaraes.
He kicked 2022 off with a superb all-action performance against Paris Saint-Germain, in which he was the best player on the field for Lyon, while he has built on that with back-to-back solid displays against Troyes and Saint-Etienne.
Over the summer, Arsenal were linked with his team-mate Houssem Aouar, but it appears they have now switched their attentions.
Guimaraes' performances mean that Lyon could demand a significant transfer fee for his services.
