Williams in, Sterling out: What Arsenal need in January transfer window

Tom Weber

Updated: 22 Dec 2024 17:43 GMT
4 min read

Arsenal's Raheem Sterling is consoled by Mikel Arteta after being replaced against Bournemouth — © IMAGO

Arsenal are enjoying a good season.

Despite a brief slump earlier this season, Arsenal are firmly back in the title race, although it would take quite a collapse from Liverpool to still be caught.

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Nevertheless, despite being one of the best teams in Europe, the Gunners can still get better and Mikel Arteta is well aware of that. Arsenal continue to be linked with a host of big-name stars, while some players appear to be on the way out.

Below, FootballTransfers looks at what Arsenal need to do in the January transfer window...

Goalkeepers

Arsenal have an excellent No.1 in David Raya and this is unlikely to change for the foreseeable future. Despite this, there are question marks over the goalkeeper position.

In the summer, the Gunners wanted to add promising Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia, but the LaLiga side refused to budge. Arsenal therefore had to look elsewhere for a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale and found it at Bournemouth.

The north London club signed 35-year-old Neto on loan from the Cherries, but he is clearly not a long-term solution and Arsenal remain in the market for a second choice.

Garcia is still the dream target but signing him in January could prove difficult, so a different solution may have to be found.

Defenders

When everyone is fit, Arsenal have one of the best backlines in all of European football. There is no urgent need for an upgrade, but some players who are struggling for minutes could be heading for the exit.

Jakub Kiwior and Kieran Tierney both continue to be linked with a departure. The latter is out of contract in the summer and Arsenal have decided against triggering the one-year extension in his contract.

Kiwior, meanwhile, has admirers in Italy and is attracted by the promise of regular minutes. Should both depart in January, Arsenal may be tempted to bring someone in in the winter.

Midfielders

As with the goalkeeper position, Arsenal also failed to land their preferred target in the middle of the park. The initial plan was to add a No.6, with Martin Zubimendi high on the club's shortlist.

In the end, Arsenal had to settle on his teammate Mikel Merino, who is a No.8 by trade and hasn't quite managed to be the midfield solution Arteta had wanted.

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding Zubimendi and his potential availability, and while a January move will be difficult to pull off, it seems that he would be willing to finally move in 2025.

Forwards

The forward position was another which Arsenal failed to really strengthen. Arteta wanted to sign No.9 Benjamin Sesko, but he decided to extend his RB Leipzig contract instead, so the Gunners ended up not signing a striker at all.

It is, however, still a position on the agenda and Sesko remains the top target, though a January move may be unlikely. The same goes for a potential reinforcement on the wings.

Raheem Sterling was signed on loan but his impact has been negligible, which has even given rise to suggestions that his stint could be cut short. Nico Williams would be the ideal replacement, but he is determined to reach the Europa League final at San Mames with Athletic Club.