Arteta would surely love to add quality and give his squad a boost, however, the club simply can’t spend big.
Arsenal are said to be hamstrung by their FFP restrictions this month, meaning any deal will have to be very creative.
And with that said, Arteta would probably like to add a defender, a midfielder and a striker to his Arsenal squad in January in an ideal world.
But with that level of recruitment unlikely due to the parameters mentioned, there may still be smart deals available.
Those who watched the opener of AFCON yesterday may have noticed the ‘excellent’ display of midfield Seko Fofana.
Fofana is currently playing for Al-Nassr after signing from Lens for £22m in the summer.
The 28-year-old was playing to an incredibly high level in Ligue 1 in recent years, and did look destined for the Premier League before heading to Saudi Arabia.
And with Fofana reportedly available on loan this January, Arteta may have found the perfect addition for his Arsenal squad.
Seko Fofa would be perfect for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad in January
Fofana’s absence at AFCON may complicate a deal, however Arsenal may still be able to achieve excellent value.
The club simply can’t rely on Thomas Partey’s fitness even if they have been handed a boost regarding his return date.
With Declan Rice now often playing in the number six, Fofana’s versatile profile could be perfect for the number eight.
Similarly, Fofana could happily sit in the pivot whilst the England midfielder moved into a more advanced role.
A short-term move for Fofana this January could be a masterstroke for Arteta’s Arsenal squad.
The midfielder may not be perfect for their long-term vision, but a loan move could then preclude a summer pursuit of Douglas Luiz or Martin Zubimendi.
It’s certainly one that Arsenal should consider, and it could be the only kind of deal that does work this month.
That being said, Arsenal do now look very well advised to chase one Premier League striker in the summer.
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