Mikel Arteta might be looking over his shoulder as the January transfer window creaks open. His Arsenal team have struggled to latch onto a title race that Liverpool seem to be running away with.
And now, the Gunners are in a position where they could bolster their ranks, but also risk losing key players who might be tempted by pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs come Wednesday (January 1). Arsenal have three such players approaching the end of their contracts, causing somewhat of a headache for Arteta.
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey’s situation is particularly noteworthy. The Ghanaian, who joined from Atletico Madrid four years ago, has shown himself indispensable, adaptable across multiple positions and amassing more than two dozen appearances this term.
Interest from Saudi clubs and European outfits looms large, and Arteta, maintaining a tight lip since November, has previously offered a general stamp of approval on Partey’s performance rather than details on his future, reports the Mirror.
He said: “We will have the right time to discuss about the situation. He is showing consistency at the highest level, again because his availability and the way that he feels physically is allowing him to do that, and I am very pleased with that.”
Jorginho
While Jorginho isn’t often in the starting XI, he’s proved to be an indispensable member of the Arsenal squad since joining from Chelsea in January 2023. With a tally of 14 appearances across competitions this season, the 33-year-old Italian midfielder is not seen as a candidate for transfers to another top-tier club.
Last week, Jorginho revealed his desire to stay on with the Gunners during a chat with ESPN Brasil: “I’m happy. You can’t be unhappy at a club like this, with the people who work at the club, with the group, the atmosphere here at the training ground. I think it’s a marvellous working environment that anyone who comes here really enjoys.”
