Arsenal are still on the lookout to replace Edu Gaspar following his resignation from the position of sporting director. The Brazilian has been replaced in the short term by his former assistant Jason Ayto.
The emphasis on what Ayto and the rest of those manning the recruitment side of the club’s business ahead of January has been in the attacking areas. Calls for a centre-forward and a versatile attacking option to offer competition for and potential upgrade on the existing offensive stars has been realised due to injuries to key players.
However, news of winter interest in other players in the Arsenal squad could see those plans shift. Reports in Italy claim that Napoli are keen on signing Jakub Kiwior on loan. However the club would only entertain permanent offers for the Polish international.
Should Arsenal receive a realistic offer then the loss of Kiwior would be something of a blow. While the defender has not reached the heights perhaps some thought he might when he arrived, he has offered a competent level of backup.
Arteta has trusted him to start in big games at the Etihad Stadium even with other options like Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko available. Therefore should he leave, there will be a priority to ensure he is replaced.
Arsenal cannot risk entering the second half of the season without another option on the left side of defence. Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Myles Lewis-Skelly have all suffered with injury issues this season and having someone in particular comfortable at left centre-half will be a must.
