With the January transfer window set to draw to a close, and Arsenal still stuck in a precarious situation, here’s a look at 7 players Mikel Ateta could sign in the last minute;
Dayot Upamecano
Upamecano has been linked with Arsenal since last summer, but for some reason, the club has been unable to secure a move for the Leipzig man, despite their poor defensive record this season.
Upamecano could come into Arsenal’s squad and offer some much-needed defensive solidity going into the final four months of the Premier League campaign.
Samuel Umtiti
Umtiti is another player who has been linked with a move to Arsenal for quite some time. A world-cup winning defender and a top player all-round, Umtiti could be just what the Gunners need to find some consistency.
Umtiti has featured in just seven La Liga games for Barcelona this season making his bit part role at the club evident.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes is Manchester United’s primary transfer target, however, Arsenal could make an attempt to hijack the transfer considering they’re in dire need of some midfield reinforcements.
Fernandes has scored 8 goals and chipped in with 7 assists in 17 games for Sporting. A player of his caliber would help Arsenal out of their rut.
Dries Mertens
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been Arsenal’s most consistent player this season scoring 14 goals in 22 Premier League appearances.
The Gunners have been a bit too reliant on him for goals, though, so a move for Dries Mertens would reduce the pressure on Aubameyang, allowing him to play more freely for Arsenal.
Mertens is fast, tricky and hard to defend against. He’d be an excellent addition to Arsenal’s lineup.
Saul Niguez
Saul Niguez has been one of Manchester United’s most consistent performers over the past few seasons, playing a major role in Diego Simeone’s tactical revolution.
Saul is an all-action midfielder capable of contributing to his side’s defensive and attacking moves. He’s the sort of midfielder Arsenal need at the moment as the Gunners currently lack dynamism in the middle of the park.
Mikel Oyarzabal
Mikel Oyarzabal is one of the brightest young talents in La Liga at the moment. The Spaniard is an incredible playmaker viewed as the next David Silva with Manchester City believed to be one of his many suitors.
Oyarzabal could come into Arsenal and introduce a new dynamic to the club’s midfield. He’d be able to serve as a solid link between Arsenal’s midfield set-up and the team’s attack. With 7 goals and 4 assists for Real Sociedad this season, Oyarzabal is a player Arsenal should consider signing before the transfer window closes.
Jerome Boateng
Once heralded as one of the best defenders in the world, Jerome Boateng could be just what Arsenal need to shore up their defensive set-up.
Boateng is currently playing a bit-part role at Bayern Munich leaving him open to a move, with just days left in the January transfer window, Mikel Arteta would need to act fast to facilitate a move for the German defender.
