In about a week, the January transfer window opens, and it is a no-brainer that Arsenal needs to take advantage of it to have a shot at pipping the Reds in the title race.
Our Gunners may now have no choice but to go out and recruit a top winger when the winter transfer window opens.
Like every other game, Bukayo Saka was looking to drop a masterclass versus Crystal Palace. However, an injury (apparently, he tore his hamstring) saw him come off in the 24th minute of the game. Leandro Trossard came on for him, but it was Gabriel Martinelli who switched to the right wing, where he had a good game in the Star Boy’s absence.
After the game, Saka was seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches. That sight of the Arsenal #7 has some feeling he could be out for a while. With Saka out and reports suggesting Raheem Sterling is also set to be sidelined, a winger signing is needed.
Arsenal only have two wingers, Trossard and Martinelli, who are both left-wingers for that January stretch.
They simply have no choice but to enter the winger market in January. Mohammed Kudus, Rodrygo, and Ademola Lookman are all at clubs fighting for something, but they are worth paying a January premium for.
Over the last few weeks, Arsenal’s attack has shown it is yearning for a striker and a dynamic winger. The team has lacked a natural goal poacher, and some feel that if they got one, they’d go to the next level. Other than a striker, there’s been a suggestion that an upgrade for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard was needed due to underperformance on the left wing.
It wasn’t certain a double swoop for a striker and a winger could be completed in the winter. But now, with Saka out, if the Arsenal decision-makers aren’t getting on board with a versatile winger and shipping Raheem Sterling back to Chelsea, there will only be one thing to expect at the end of the season.
That will be Arteta and Ødegaard delivering speeches about how we came close again and that we’ll try again next season.
Darren N
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we need a playmaker and Oshimen in jan. only to be level
with Liverpool.. splash the cash and reap the reward !!
I have said it so many times I am getting bored of it; we need to play Gabriel Jesus on RW if Saka is out. He was great there for City and it is statistically where he does all his best work. He isn’t a striker.
Actually, what I understood before this Saka incidence is that Arsenal are more interested in signing a versatile winger rather than a striker. This is because, most target 🎯 strikers will be difficult to get mid season and Arsenal isn’t prepared to pay the sum, hence the wait for the summer window before signing the desired striker. Now, it has become a must dip into the market for a reliable Saka replacement or deputy to give friendly competition. But while waiting for the right offer in January in the absence of Saka and Sterling, Gabriel Jesus could step up and offer some needed performance.
It is to our fan’s disappointment that winter is no good for big money while summer has more important concerns than a forward. This alternation is more a mock to the fan base. With Saka injured, we need some backups for sure. Who knows how MA may creatively deal with the situation.
Kudus is certainly good, but again, we miss the chance to sign him with reasonable pricing. Let’s see who we may bring this transfer window.
Arteta has very recently said that Saka will be out for many weeks so disappointing news
Yes. He also said that Arsenal will be “looking internally for solutions” which seems to put a dampener on all the transfer talk.
Merry Christmas to all. Losing Saka is a great loss, but his injury was always on the cards, as he has been over played since coming into the side. Now is a chance for others to step up. Jesus has regained confidence at an opportune time and maybe Martinelli could flourish on the right on his stronger side. Also, Saka, excellent as he is, has become part of a slightly predictable set up. To answer the question, buy top class or nothing at all. We have had too many flops barely contributing over the years.
Am trying to imagine a Saka less arsenal and its unimaginable.
This had to happen. He has been run down because of the load we’ve put on his shoulders. This guy has to always play for club and Country unless he is injured.
We needed an able assistant even in his presence, now its inevitable that we have to get someone atleast on his level of quality for us to keep going.
With G.jesus turn in form,it may now mean we need a wide attacker more than a C.F
It’s usually easier if you have an internal replacement than expecting an instant hit from a new signing.
I hope our fringe performers like Martinelli can seize this opportunity even as we hopefully look to get a signing.
With Sterling also out injured we do need a new forward.
The title would be an extremely difficult and very improbable result even before Bukayo’s injury and it’s unlikely that any addition(s) would put us over the top in the 36 team UCL. We have to depend on having enough qualify in the squad for the UCL for next season which is the primary achievable financial goal. No premium January spending, try to improve the squad in the summer.
oops: “quality in the squad to qualify for the UCL for next season”
Its not easy getting your desirable cf in the winter but a quality wide winger can be possible to replace saka in quality saka is coming before the end of season so we wait till summer for our desire cf Benjamin sesko
Darren N, you say Martinelli is a left winger, but this is only because he’s been forced in that position. He may not have Saka’s particular skills (who has?), but he’s naturally right footed and will go for the goal line and get in behind the defence. He’ll do well in Saka’s absence.
Jax, Martinelli played mostly on the left wing for Ituano, his club in Brazil, and occasionally at CF.
Getting a good deputy for Saka in January is almost impossible but a loan could be visible. Imo, according to Arteta’s conference report regarding Saka injury it doesn’t seem he has plans to sign any players in January. He spoke about Matinelli, Trossard or Nwaneri playing in Saka’s position. From the way Matinelli slot in pretty well after Saka left the field, there are more positives to suggest the coach would keep using him in the position.
On listening to Arteta regarding his other options from within, I didn’t mind hearing that Martinelli, Trossard, Jesus, or Nwaneri could be options.
The one option he also mentioned was Havertz, that one I definitely can’t see being a genuine option.
For me, Havertz should only be considered in the number 9 role, and for me that’s because of our limited options in that area.
Replace Saka with a player for the weeks he is out from outside the club and then do what? You don’t do that and we have to use our own players, who have to step up. The manager has to manage. We are not a one man team? If we are we are in trouble anyway.
Exactly Reggie. Mikel has plenty of options, ie, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard.
In terms of a creative attacking option across the front, Mbuomo of Brentford and Eberiche Eze are both solid options that will likely cost less than Kudus. But pickings will be slim. This is likely going to come down to some guys already on the squad stepping up.
I want another x factor forward but not in Saka’s position also an understudy to Saka would not move the needle Either a top-tier left winger a striker or another attacking midfielder One of those positions if we can get the right quality
We don’t need winger. We need super striker/forward. That’s what we been missing for long time.
Have said it before, Saka is irreplaceable in our team and that’s a testament to his superior quality. Modification is needed as our game style is not the same without him, especially on that right side.
Injuries have been our Achilles heel this season, especially to key players, so it’s up to the manager to manage it.
As one door closes, another opens, enter Nwaneri!A front three of Martinelli, Jesus and Nwaneri, while lacking in physical presence, would be very difficult to pin down and the absence of Saka could ironically make us less predictable up front.
Nathan Buttler-Oyedeji