SETTABLOID

Arsenal are actively working to bring in new players in the January transfer window, according to Mikel Arteta. Injury issues have been frequent for the Gunners boss over the last few weeks and that has seen him send a number of pleas to those above him.

Strengthening his attacking options is the obvious priority with Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko among those linked, with Victor Osimhen still seemingly an option.

Despite that requirement, some of the focus has seemingly been on agreeing a deal for Martin Zubimendi to join from Real Sociedad in the summer, with a new report emerging on exactly how Arsenal will go about acquiring his services.

Osimhen move explored

Arsenal are exploring a move for Osimhen as they look to bolster their attack, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke. The Nigeria international is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli with the expectation being that he will depart Italy on a permanent basis this summer.

Two exits proposed in Zubimendi swap deal

Spanish outlet El Nacional have claimed that Arsenal have offered Real Sociedad £25million, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior for Martin Zubimendi. The Gunners look set to capture his services ahead of the 2025/26 season over the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

It had seemed like Mikel Arteta’s men would have the chance to close the gap on Liverpool at the Premier League summit with the Reds struggling to find a way past a resolute Brentford. But a quickfire brace from substitute Darwin Nunez piled the pressure back on the Gunners, who let a two-goal lead slip against Aston Villa to fall further behind their title rivals.

Alexander Isak may be at the top of Arsenal’s wishlist, but the sought-after Sweden international is happy at Newcastle.

Isak had been in red-hot form prior to Saturday’s shock 4-1 loss against Bournemouth. And while he blanked against the Cherries, his deadly finishing has generated interest from The Emirates.

With Arsenal seemingly in desperate need of a striker, moving for Isak is a move which has been called for. But not only would Newcastle demand a premium price for their talisman, the player himself has reiterated how happy he is at St James’ Park.

He told TNT Sports on Saturday: “Everywhere you go in this city, everyone is loving Newcastle, which is special. It is the best feeling I have had in my career. Scoring goals in front of these fans, it is special.”

Arsenal are now actively trying to sign a lethal striker after the injury to Gabriel Jesus, with a report claiming how much Manchester United have already offered for him and the result of their bid, while a well-known pundit has sent a warning to the Gunners against bringing him to the Emirates Stadium.

With Jesus now on the sidelines for the foreseeable future, Arsenal are on the hunt for a new striker in the January transfer window. Mikel Arteta has admitted that the Gunners need more firepower, with the north London club still having the chance to beat Liverpool to the Premier League title this season.

Among the strikers Arsenal have their eyes on is Victor Osimhen. The 26-year-old is on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli at the moment and has been flourishing at the Turkish giants.

Described as a “world-class striker” by Fenerbache head coach Jose Mourinho, Osimhen has scored 14 goals and given six assists in 18 matches in all competitions for Galatasaray so far this season.

The Nigeria international striker found the back of the net 17 times and gave four assists in 32 appearances for Napoli in the 2023-24 campaign.

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has reportedly already declared his willingness to join Arsenal, handing a fresh incentive to the Gunners over a deal.

Arsenal are in need to add more firepower up top. That seemed the case when their central attacking options of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were not pulling up any trees.

But the latter is now injured, probably for the season, and Bukayo Saka is also out for months. With that said, Mikel Arteta has detailed his desire to add to his depth up top.

Links to Leipzig’s Sesko are frequent, the striker has already signalled his desire to head to the Emirates.

Indeed, it’s believed he favours a move to Arsenal over any of their Premier League rivals, and a “gentleman’s agreement” will let him make the move in the summer.

That he is keen on playing at Arsenal is said to give the club an incentive to land Sesko, who has 13 goals so far this season.

Though there is reported new interest in the Slovenian from Barcelona, their financial restrictions mean they are not likely to cause many problems for the Gunners.

Arsenal consider £70m bid

With an incentive on the table, Arsenal could soon go after Sesko, and a recent report has stated that they are weighing up a £70million bid.

That is one that they would seemingly make in January, if they decide to go for him over a short-term loan for another attacker.

But with Sesko said to be able to leave Leipzig in the summer, the Gunners might be better served waiting.

Arsenal midifelder Declan Rice has said that the team have to keep believing after suffering a blow in their hopes of chasing down Liverpool for the Premier League title at the end of the season.

The Gunners watched on on Saturday afternoon as Liverpool scored two stoppage time goals against Brentford to take all three points. Arsenal were in action just a couple of hours later as they hosted Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.

Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz saw Mikel Arteta’s side take a 2-0 lead, as they looked on course for all three points. But they were pegged back thanks to second half goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.

Arsenal did think that they had retaken the lead with just three minutes left to play through Havertz. But VAR intervene with replays showing that the ball had come off his arm, meaning that the goal was disallowed.

The game ended in a 2-2 draw with the Gunners having to settle for a point. The results mean that the gap to Liverpool now stands at six points with Arne Slot’s side having a game in hand.

Despite the disappointment of the two points dropped, Rice has called on the club to maintain belief that the gap can be closed between now and the end of the season.

Chelsea appear to have dented Arsenal’s hopes of finding a replacement for William Saliba, who was forced to miss the Gunners’ clash against Aston Villa. The 23-year-old defender was omitted from the squad after he was seen holding his hamstring towards the end of the North London Derby.

Speaking to reporters prior to the 2-2 draw with Unai Emery’s side, Arteta confirmed that Saliba had suffered a muscular injury. The Spaniard said: “He felt something post-match, something muscular. “We don’t think it’s too much, but he could not train yesterday.

In his post-match press conference, Arteta was asked for an update on Saliba. The Arsenal boss said: “Not yet, I think tomorrow we will have more information, we will have more tests on him and we will be more clear about it.”

When asked if he’s worried about the France international’s injury, he replied: “Yes, for sure, especially with the numbers we have in the squad and looking at our bench. Very worried.”

Then, on the pressure to make a signing, Arteta added: “Not at the result at the moment. You look at the performances, I don’t know how many teams are playing at this level in the league. When you look at the bench, probably you say I think we are very short.”