Arsenal’s Deadline Day transfer would shut door on the Emery era

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 30 Jan 2023 20:12 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal are set for a busy close to the January transfer window as manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu attempt to find a midfield signing to bolster their Premier League title challenge.

Moises Caicedo appears to be the man that the Gunners are targeting, though Brighton’s insistence that they will not sell is putting the deal in doubt and could see the Emirates club look elsewhere.

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But away from the headlines of the Caicedo deal, Arsenal could quietly usher the final remnants of the Unai Emery era out of the club, thereby making Arteta’s takeover complete.

Only one man is left standing of senior player signed by the Spaniard, who is now the Aston Villa coach, yet he could well be in line for a Deadline Day move away from the club.

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Kieran Tierney has found himself frustrated by the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City in the summer and has seen his game time slashed as a consequence. The Scotland international, who can also play in the middle or on the right of defence, has managed only 480 Premier League minutes to date.

There is reported interest from Serie A for the 25-year-old, with Tutto Mercato reporting that Inter and Juventus are both interested in the player.

Should Arsenal complete a move for Ivan Fresneda, this might only act to hurry a deal along, even if he is primarily a right-back.

Tierney is the last man standing of the Emery era to all intents and purposes. Although William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli are now firm regulars in the first team under Arteta, they were effectively signed as prospects under the Spaniard’s watch.

Beyond Tierney, the only other player Emery signed still on Arsenal’s books is Nicolas Pepe, who proved a monumental flop and is presently on loan in France with Nice.