Arsenal have transformed the conception of their business completed in recent transfer windows with several sturdy acquisitions successfully transforming Mikel Arteta's squad. Despite sitting top of the Premier League, more reinforcements will be required before the end of the January window.
There are understood to be two positions highlighted as a priority at the Emirates Stadium, with Edu chasing a new midfielder and wide attacker this month. Brazilian midfielder Danilo was touted as a possible arrival before Arsenal opted against the player while Mykhailo Mudryk looked almost certain to arrive from Shakhtar Donetsk.
However, Mudryk controversially ended up signing for London rivals Chelsea for £88million on Sunday, leaving the Gunners back at square one mid-way through the winter window.
READ MORE: What Oleksandr Zinchenko did to Mykhaylo Mudryk after Chelsea hijack Arsenal £88m transfer
Before the January transfer window, Arteta highlighted the importance of recruiting early in the transfer window but admitted there is a reluctance at the club to overpay for players. "We knew the importance of getting players early in the summer and that is the same we want to do in January," Arteta said.
"We are very aligned with the players we are looking for. Whether they are possible or affordable, the timing of it, depends on so many things that are out of my control. The theory says that it is a very tricky window."
Following Sunday's north London derby with Tottenham, attention will divert back to Edu's January plans. With that being said, football.london brings you four priorities at N7.
Thomas Partey back-up
Arsenal's desperation for a deputy to Partey has somewhat been overshadowed this season due to the club's luck with injuries. The 29-year-old midfield anchor has spent large parts of the last two seasons out injured with a range of knocks but has supplied consistent displays when available.
Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz was the subject of a deadline day bid in the summer while Youri Tielemans has had interest cooled from Arsenal after seeing his form dip at Leicester City. Now, after missing out on Mudryk and saving close to £90million, bolstering the options in midfield may be considered a new priority.
As Arteta shed light on, the January window has previously been a difficult window to invest in due to selling clubs slapping inflated prices onto their wanted players. There's the ideology that Arsenal may be able to wait until the summer to deal with a backup to Partey. But is it a risk worth taking with a Premier League title on the line?
Mykhailo Mudryk alternative
Chelsea's acquisition of Mudryk means a host of attacking players are now set to be linked with a move to Arsenal between now and January 31. The Gunners were understood to be keen on adding a new face to Arteta's attack to provide competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Emile Smith Rowe's welcome comeback from injury this week has relaxed the need for a forward signing, however, you can never have too much quality in attack. One player that is destined to leave his current side in the future is Wilfried Zaha. The Crystal Palace star has proven throughout the previous five years that has the ability and confirmed in 2017 that he is an Arsenal supporter.
Luckily for the Gunners, their current figures in the attack have shown no signs of slowing down or losing form this season. However, at least another 22 games are coming their way before the end of the season, recruiting another winger may be required.
Sticking to transfer policy
Of course, there will be a certain element of disappointment amongst Arsenal and supporters after missing out on another attacker due to the finances involved. In the summer, the Gunners missed out on Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United and Raphinha to Barcelona whilst also holding a serious interest in Joao Felix before his £9.7million loan to Chelsea.
The club have been keen not to overpay for players and the dilemma regarding Mudryk comes with Shakhtar wanting a fee of around £88million. Confidence did seem to be growing in concluding a deal but Chelsea's incentive of meeting the demand ended Arsenal's pursuit.
In the past, several signings have been made for inflated prices that have failed to reflect the player's price tag. As shown in the past couple of windows, Edu will not be forced to overpay for a player's services - especially not in January.
Should Arsenal persist with their aim of improving Arteta's squad this month, completing shrewd business will be the aim with snatching players for a fair price or making the most of individual contract situations.
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