The January transfer window is just a few weeks away and with a break in domestic competitions for the World Cup, eyes will be turned towards signings. Arsenal could be one of the sides that are the busiest in the winter, with the side sitting top of the Premier League.
While they are league leaders by five points, the need for reinforcements has been clear, with only a few injuries potentially throwing the side off course. Depth is a particular issue that needs to be addressed, especially after Mikel Arteta questioned the options available to him.
“That’s the squad that we have and we have to try to utilise the squad in the best possible way,” The Spaniard replied when asked if he needed to strengthen. "We know where we are and we knew the moment we had certain injuries that the squad is already very, very short."
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While midfield is one problem area to address, so are the wings, with a lack of options at the manager's disposal beyond his first choice players so far. One player that has been linked with a switch to solve that is Real Madrid's Marco Asensio, with the 26-year-old set to be a free agent next summer.
The Spaniard impressed in his nation's opening game against Costa Rica, scoring to double their lead to get their group stages underway. Amid doubts over his future, Asensio told Radio Marca, via Fabrizio Romano: "Hopefully the renewal can be done and I will be very happy at Real Madrid. Hopefully it’s to stay for 10 more years here at Real. It’s not just me deciding — it’s also up to the club.”
It suggests an uphill battle for the Gunners to land the forward. However, should Los Blancos decide they would accept a deal in January or let him go in the summer, the north Londoners could swoop in. It may prove to be an ideal move, with the forward able to play out wide, although he can also start down the middle, as he did in Spain's clash.
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