Every player linked with Arsenal January transfer window move as Mikel Arteta eyes additions

Arsenal head into the January transfer window looking to continue their push for a top four finish in the Premier League, with a two-leg League Cup semi-final awaiting.

The Gunners have a good balance of young and experienced players in their squad, with Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka emerging as England internationals under manager Mikel Arteta.

However, in order to continue their push for a Champions League qualification place come May, they’ll need to strengthen in areas, especially with the loss of Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny to Ghana and Egypt respectively for the African Cup of Nations.

To add to this, forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are rumoured to be leaving the club in the near future.

With that being said, LondonWorld takes a look at every name linked with a move to the Emirates during the January transfer window.

Gini Wijnaldum

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Gini Wijnaldum is a rumoured target of Arteta’s according to reports, with the Dutchman unsettled at the French club.

Wijnaldum is no stranger to the Premier League, having played for Newcastle United and most recently Liverpool, where he won the English top-flight and Champions League.

According to FourFourTwo, the 31-year-old could make a loan switch to Arsenal and would be an ideal replacement for the temporary absence of Partey and Elneny.

Alexander Isak

Another player linked with a move to the Gunners is Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak, with the club now ‘ahead’ of Barcelona in the race for the Swedish international.

Spanish publication El Nacional claim Arteta’s side could sign the 22-year-old for less than his £75m release clause due to Sociedad not wanting to sell to a division-rival such as Barcelona.

Isak, who has 41 goals in 112 appearances for his team, would be a like-for-like alternative for Aubameyang and Lacazette.

Dusan Vlahovic

An alternative option to Isak rumoured to be on Arsenal’s radar is Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic.

The Serbian has been in fine form for his Italian club, netting an impressive 18 goals in 22 appearances so far this season.

At only 21, he has a bright future ahead of him, with a move to North London a potential option.

According to Gazetta dello Sport, Arteta is a huge admirer of Vlahovic and has submitted a €55 million bid plus Lucas Torreira for the forward. The latter is currently on loan at the Serie A team from the Gunners.

Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Countinho could finally have a way out of Barcelona with the Emirates a potential destination for the Brazilian.

The 29-year-old could leave the Spanish giants this month with Arsenal and north London rivals Tottenham interested in his services.

Barcelona need to offload players from their wage bill in order to register new signing Ferran Torres and Coutinho is said to be one name heading for the exit door.

Coutinho is another player familiar with the Premier League, having played for Liverpool between 2013 and 2018.

Dejan Kulusevski

Another Swedish international rumoured to be a target of Arteta’s is Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski.

According to reports in Italy, the 21-year-old will be allowed to leave his club this month as long as their valuation is met.

The Gunners will have to pay between £29 - £34m if they want to bring Kulusevski to the Emirates.

Arthur Melo

Arsenal seem to have a liking for Juventus players with Arthur Melo is another name rumoured to be on the club’s radar.

The Brazilian midfielder is in his second season with the Italian outfit, having featured 42 times for them since his move from Barcelona.

Melo would slot into the holding-midfield role of Arteta’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, alongside either Granit Xhaka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles or Albert Lokonga in Partey and Elneny’s absence.

Aaron Ramsey

A potential reunion could be on the cards for the Gunners and Aaron Ramsey as the Welsh international is being linked with a move back to North London.

The Juventus midfielder is said to be a target for Arteta’s side according to Spanish publication Marca.

Ramsey left Arsenal for the Italian club in 2019 and has made 70 appearances in two-and-a-half years there.