Arsenal may look to bolster their squad in the January transfer window following a challenging start to the 2024/25 season plagued by injuries.
The Gunners entered the campaign with high expectations after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City last season. However, 15 games in, they currently sit in third place behind Liverpool and Chelsea, a position partly attributed to injury setbacks.
Key players, including captain Martin Ødegaard, have been sidelined, with the Norwegian midfielder out for nearly two months due to an ankle injury. Similarly, Ben White has been unavailable after undergoing surgery.
Other players, such as Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, have also missed matches, disrupting Mikel Arteta’s plans and forcing squad adjustments.
Despite these challenges, the January transfer window presents an opportunity for Arsenal to address these issues. Arteta has expressed optimism about the possibility of strengthening the team during this period.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “The window gives us an opportunity to strengthen the team if we feel that is needed and we have the capacity to do so. We are assessing the situation, as it changes every week. I’m positive that in a few weeks, we’re going to be in a better place.”
However, Arsenal’s transfer activities have been complicated by the recent departure of sporting director Edu. In the interim, his former assistant Jason Ayto will oversee recruitment efforts. Arsenal are also reportedly considering appointing former Manchester United director Dan Ashworth as a long-term replacement to lead their transfer strategy.
Arteta provided an update on Riccardo Calafiori, who has been sidelined for the last two Premier League matches due to a groin issue.
The manager praised the player’s enthusiasm but emphasized the need for caution. “We need a cage there because Riccardo wants to train and play,” Arteta said. “We need to calm him down because he is so willing. Due to injuries, he had to play more than we wanted, and then he developed an issue in his groin.”
Arsenal are also preparing for their next Champions League clash against Monaco on Wednesday. Despite a slow start in the competition, where they sit in 10th place, a victory could see them climb the standings and potentially secure automatic qualification for the next round. With January approaching, Arsenal fans will be eager to see how the club navigates this pivotal period.
