Arsenal were handed an inadvertent boost this week with Thomas Partey’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign ending before it had even got going.
Ghana’s shock defeat to Comoros on Tuesday ensured Ghana were knocked out of the tournament at the group stage, with Partey now free to return to England.
That could mean the former Atletico Madrid star is free to play as soon as this weekend, having not missed a single Premier League encounter due to cup commitments and controversial postponements.
But Partey’s return doesn’t necessarily rule out the possibility of another midfield arrival during the January transfer window.
"We are expecting some activity,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said on the eve of the window opening. “It depends, because it's a complicated market and a short window. We will see what happens."
HAVE YOUR SAY! What do Arsenal need to do in the January window? Let us know in the comments
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has already departed the Emirates, leaving options threadbare in the middle of the park.
Partey himself has endured a stop-and-start to life in the Premier League, whilst Albert Sambi Lokonga is still developing following his summer switch.
Aside from those two, Arteta can only call upon Mohamed Elneny - who is set to leave at the end of the season - and the maddeningly frustrating Granit Xhaka.
That could lead to another midfield signing and a return for a player initially scouted ahead of January 2021.
Barcelona ’s Riqui Puig was firmly on the Gunners radar at the start of last year, with the Athletic reporting scouts had watched him on a number of occasions.
Puig, once seen as the future of the Blaugrana, has failed to convince a number of managers and could be shipped out to aid their chronic financial difficulties.
The 22-year-old has remained on the peripheries under Xavi, but such was his astonishing talent as a youngster, he was once compared to the Spaniard’s legendary midfield partner, Andres Iniesta.
Former Gunners skipper Fabregas knows a thing or two about switching Catalonia for north London and previously backed his compatriot to go all the way.
"Riqui can become like Iniesta, for example, if coaches trust him. I know that comparing him with Andres are big words but such a player could cost a fortune on today's market," Fabregas told RAC1.
"I'm sure Riqui has what it takes to succeed, he just has to have the right attitude and keep improving."
That attitude has come under question however, with Xavi’s predecessor Ronald Koeman taking a public dig at his application following a prolonged spell out of the lineup.
"I like people who work every day to improve, and who take opportunities with both hands. Sometimes it's not just about quality," Koeman explained at the end of 2020.
"There may be players who don't do enough in training for the coach to give opportunities."
Arteta has shown he isn’t scared to give younger players a chance to shine and in Puig, Fabregas believes they could land one of the best.
