Arsenal given January transfer instruction as priority identified amid Alexander Isak links
by Joe Doyle · football.londonWe are over a week into the January transfer window and there are still no signs of an incoming player to boost Arsenal's Premier League title bid.
The Gunners sit joint-second in the table with Nottingham Forest on 40 points, six points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game more than Arne Slot's men. And it's clear that injuries have been damaging to Mikel Arteta's side so far this season.
The Gunners suffered a big loss with captain Martin Odegaard missing a large chunk of the early months due to an ankle injury, and now they are suffering with star man Bukayo Saka undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury. And that's before you even think about the full-back areas.
Arteta has been keeping his cards close to his chest with regards to what the club could do in the January transfer window, but has maintained the line that they remain alert to anything that could happen in the market. And according to the fans, the needs are clear.
When asked in a football.london poll how many players Arsenal need to sign in January, an overwhelming 73% of fans believe the Gunners need two or three new players to join. 17% say the club only need one new addition, while 4% say the club need four or five new stars, 3% say six or more need to join, and another 3% say Arsenal don't need anyone new through the doors.
When it comes to where a new player is needed, the fans were clear once again. A whopping 76% of fans say the priority position for new arrivals should be strikers, with wingers the next-highest at 18%. The need for a world-class striker was laid bare during the Gunners' 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, with Alexander Isak impressing as he scored and played a part in the second goal.
According to 3% of fans, the club need a new central-midfielder most, while 1% each say a new goalkeeper, centre-back or full-back is required.
So, it's clear from the fans' point of view that the Gunners need to bring in a striker and perhaps another winger to compete in attack given the options Arsenal currently have - and injuries which mean Saka and even 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri are likely to miss a number of the upcoming games.
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