How do you strengthen a squad that is already stacked with so much world class talent? That is the conundrum facing Head of Recruitment at Arsenal, James Ellis, and Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff as they look to deliver a first Premier League title since the invincible 2003-2004 season.
With the January transfer window looming large, the transfer rumour mill is working overtime, and more superstars have been linked with Arsenal to potentially help them get over the finish line first in the Premier League and other cup competitions. Deals are reportedly in place to seal the signings of Ecuadorian twins, Edwin and Holger Quintero. The addition of “two Ronaldinho’s” would be squarely for the future, but which signings could make an impact in the current campaign?
Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
Since Xabi Alonso took over at Real Madrid, many superstars have been tipped to head towards the exit door for a variety of reasons. While Rodrygo has not had any falling out with Alonso on the scale of teammates Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde, the winger and two-time Champions League winner is considered dispensable as Alonso looks to strengthen his defence and midfield.
It has been a testing season for the Brazilian with no goals, just two assists and severely reduced minutes to his name so far this season, which has led to increased speculation about a departure from the Santiago Bernabeu. It was only in the summer of 2025 that Arsenal were hot on the heels of Rodrygo, but with Alonso just arriving in the dugout, Real Madrid and Alonso were not quite ready to part ways with the winger.
However, the landscape has changed in recent months. Rodrygo has fallen out of favour and Arsenal could return for an attacker that would boost an already star-studded attacking line-up. With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, and Leandro Trossard already proving their worth at various points of the season so far, and Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and the returning Kai Havertz in the number nine position, it might be difficult to see where Rodrygo would fit in.
However, quality cannot be ignored, and the addition of a serial winner would be very difficult to turn down for Arteta in their quest for silverware. According to the latest betting trends at 1Bet, Arsenal are favourites for the Premier League and Champions League titles, while featuring in the top three for FA Cup glory.
Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
Sticking with the Real Madrid theme, another international superstar that has been rumoured to leave the club is Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga, as cited by TeamTALK. For Arsenal, the addition of another world class midfielder would complement the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, summer signings Martin Zubimendi and Eze, Mikel Merino, and backup central midfielder Christian Nørgaard.
With other departments already well stacked, the midfield area could be where Arteta prioritises to cover for injury and fatigue. Ødegaard has already missed a chunk of this season due to injury, while the all-action style of Rice could eventually lead to fatigue, especially with a busy winter schedule coming up.
Arsenal are seemingly coping well with injuries in defence to Gabriel and William Saliba as well in attack following periods out for Saka, Martinelli, Havertz, Gyökeres and Trossard. But having another player that can come in and perform the box-to-box role that Rice plays with distinction could point towards Camavinga becoming a key target in January.
Like Rodrygo, Camavinga is also having his minutes managed by Alonso after missing the beginning of the season with an ankle injury. And if that trend continues, the two-time La Liga and Champions League winner could seek a new adventure, possibly in North London.
