Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta He personally compiled a list of top contenders to bolster the club's attacking ranks in January, with the Gunners widely tipped to move in search of new attacking options once we reach 2025.
Arsenal is preparing to face Ipswich Town after a 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace
Unfortunately, Arsenal's convincing 5-1 win over Crystal Palace was overshadowed by a hamstring injury to star winger Bukayo Saka, and then news emerged that replacement option Raheem Sterling was suffering from a knee problem, which will also keep him out for weeks.
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As a result, Arteta now faces a real selection headache as he prepares to host league strugglers Ipswich Town Premier League tomorrow.
Gabriel Jesus, who has recently returned to form with five goals in his last two games, is able to play out wide in Saka's place, as is Kai Havertz, while exciting youngster Ethan Nwaneri could be deployed in that position.
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Arsenal's next five matches in the English Premier League |
date |
|---|---|
|
Ipswich Town (home) |
December 27th |
|
Brentford (away) |
January 1 |
|
Brighton (away) |
January 4 |
|
Tottenham |
January 15 |
|
Aston Villa (home) |
January 18 |
There are a few options available for Arteta, but Saka would be an extremely painful loss for the North Londoners given how important he is.
The England international, who was also sidelined briefly earlier in the season, has 13 assists in all competitions already with nine goals – and will be almost impossible to replace.
It will be very interesting to see how Arteta decides to field Arsenal against Ipswich in the 24-year-old's absence, and the Spaniard has indirectly challenged his side to step up during the absence of their main star.
“I can't be too specific because I don't know, but it will take several weeks.” He said Arteta talks about Saka's release.
“He's obviously a big player for us. You just have to see the impact he has on the team, but it will be a good exercise for all of us to think of ways to overcome another challenge, because we've already had a lot in the season.
“We have to look internally at what we have and be creative, and have a very good training session again. How can we shape the team? How can we adapt to the circumstances and be different? We cannot pretend that we are the same. We have to be different and try to find the best way to do it and You are very competitive and win a lot of matches.”
while Arsenal are reportedly considering signing Saka's replacement In January, reports suggested that the new striker was also firmly on the club's to-do list ahead of the winter transfer window.
Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram is considered a 'leading candidate' to join Arsenal in January
In fact, a report from Spain has claimed so Arteta personally compiled a list of “leading candidates” to join Arsenal in January -And one of them Inter Milan star Marcus Thuram.
The Frenchman has 13 goals and six assists in 21 appearances in all competitions so far this season, which has seemingly piqued the interest of Arteta, who singled out Thuram as one of his top three strikers alongside Bundesliga duo Benjamin Sisco and Victor Boniface.
However, the 27-year-old will not come cheap, with estimates suggesting it would cost around £83m to land him away from San Siro.
It is highly debatable whether Arsenal would part with that kind of money mid-season, regardless of Arteta's fondness for Thuram, as both Cisco and Boniface also enjoy lower prices.
