Arsenal line up surprising first January signing

Tom Weber

• Updated: 13 Jan 2024 12:04 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal's first January signing - if there will be one - is likely to be a defender, according to a report.

The Gunners are in a bit of a crisis. Their recent form has been dire and, although there is still everything to play for, Mikel Arteta's men have slipped from the top of the Premier League at Christmas down to fourth, five points off the summit.

Unsurprisingly, then, Arsenal have been continuously linked with players who could help them improve their fortunes in the second half of the season. Most prominent, of course, has been the speculation about a big-name striker signing.

Ivan Toney has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates, but a January exit from Brentford appears highly unlikely given that he will cost a fortune. Indeed, it is this which is hamstringing Arsenal this month: they don't have a lot of money to spend. Any high-profile incoming will have to be funded by a departure.

Yet, despite all the talk of a new number nine arriving at the Emirates, journalist Dean Jones has claimed that Arsenal's first signing of the January window could very well be a defender.

Arsenal to sign a defender?

"They haven't got a lot of money to spend," Jones told GIVEMESPORT, "but they will put some money into a defender if they have to. So I do think it's worth being open-minded about who that might be. I don't think this is going to be like Arsenal going out and signing the best full-back in the world."

"I think it's going to be somebody that they look to have as a squad player, but somebody that can grow into their team. So certainly something to look out for. Because at a time when all the talk is about how much they need a forward, the reality is the first signing through the door will probably be a defender."

On the defensive front, Arsenal have been linked with a move for Ajax wonderkid Jorrel Hato, though the centre-back won't come cheap and a summer move is more likely. As FootballTransfers explained on Friday, Fulham's Antonee Robinson could be a good solution to their left-back problem.