Arsenal 'can afford' blockbuster winger transfer as January deal confirmed

Arsenal are now turning their attention to Saturday’s clash with Brighton on the South Coast. The Gunners took care of business on New Year’s day, defeating Brentford by coming from behind to win 3-1 in West London.

Mikel Arteta’s men are back in the title under, but currently on pace to be three wins behind leaders Liverpool, they need to remain consistent if they want any chance of making up the gap. In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Williams ‘interest’

Arsenal are still said to be interested in a move for Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, who is also a likely target for Barcelona, although more so in the summer. The Mail report that Arsenal have the means to pull off a £50million deal in January, but timing may be an issue.

That’s because Williams has already told Athletic Club he is staying for this season, so it would be a shock if he was to go back on that, given what the club means to him. Arsenal’s most realistic path to a deal would be agreeing a transfer now ahead of the summer in order to beat Barcelona to the punch.

Robinson moves on

Arsenal have confirmed their first deal of the January transfer window, with Jack Robinson moving on. The 20-year-old academy graduate has agreed to join League One side Wigan Athletic after around eight years with the Gunners.

Robinson has made the Arsenal bench this season, namely in the Champions League, but he has not been close to Arteta’s plans. He now drops down the leagues in a bid to build a career away from the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta on scoring form

Arteta is delighted with the resurgence of Gabriel Jesus and Garbriel Martinelli, who have both found scoring form of late. “Very good timing, both of them, really important,” said the Spaniard. “It’s a big quality of our team to share the goals across the team.

“Today, we’ve done it again, scoring three very different ways. It’s great, that’s what we need, people up front has to be firing, has to be with that feeling and they are with that feeling right now. They are so consistent with the way they behave, they train, they want it and goals are about moments as well and about the feeling and the energy that a player is in right now, they’re in a good mood right now.”