It feels absurd to suggest that they still need reinforcements after taking nine points from a possible nine at the start of their Premier League title defence, but the reality is that Arsenal could still improve.
They missed out on several attacking targets in the summer and despite signing Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and Ezri Konsa, some considered their transfer window a failure.
|
Nationality |
Previous Club |
Fee |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bruno Guimaraes |
Brazil |
Newcastle |
£75m |
|
Ezri Konsa |
England |
Aston Villa |
£55m |
|
Christos Tzolis |
Greece |
Club Brugge |
£35m |
|
Piero Hincapie |
Ecuador |
Bayer Leverkusen |
£34.5m |
|
Andria Bartishvili |
Georgia |
Kolkheti 1913 |
£3.9m |
|
Illan Meslier |
France |
Leeds United |
Free |
The January transfer window, therefore, offers a chance at redemption for Andrea Bertra. It’s then that the likes of Julian Alvarez could be explored again.
It’s also about weakening rival clubs in both the Premier League and Champions League. Mikel Arteta is so often relentless and he needs Arsenal’s transfer strategy to reflect that.
By winning the race to sign Alvarez, the Premier League champions would welcome the world-class forward that they’ve been seeking for some time now, and also deal Barcelona an almighty blow.
The Spanish giants were leading the race all summer, only for Atletico Madrid to publicly reject their advances and keep a frustrated Alvarez.
The South American isn’t the only target from a European giant, though. Alongside Alvarez, Arsenal also have Willian Pacho in their sights. And if they want to weaken any European rival, then the side aiming for a third-consecutive Champions League victory would be a good place to start.
Arsenal join race to sign Willian Pacho
As reported by Caught Offside, Arsenal have surged into the race to sign Willian Pacho from Paris Saint-Germain in January.
The Gunners have already completed in-person checks after dispatching officials to watch the defender in PSG’s 2-2 draw with LOSC Lille at the end of last month. Alas, they weren’t alone. Alongside those in north London, Manchester City’s officials were also in attendance – sparking rumours of a huge race between Premier League rivals.
|
Willian Pacho vs Lille |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
90 |
|
Tackles |
0 |
|
Duel success |
50% |
|
Passes into final third |
6 |
|
Recoveries |
8 |
Whilst Pacho would be the first to admit that it wasn’t his finest game against Lille earlier this season, his potential was still on show in front of some important spectators.
What stood out most was his ability in possession. The 24-year-old completed six passes into the final third – five more than Konsa and one less than Gabriel managed against Chelsea.
There were still some defensive highlights too. Eight recoveries and a duel success of 50% suggests that Pacho is certainly aggressive enough for the Premier League.
PSG teammate Marquinhos went as far as calling Pacho the ‘best defender in the world’ when PSG defeated Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season. That’s how highly he’s rated in Paris and if Arsenal want to steal in, then it is unlikely to come cheap or easy.