Mikel Arteta finally set to upgrade problem position and help struggling Arsenal star

Mikel Arteta could be set to upgrade a problem position at Arsenal. The Gunners are not expected to do much business in the January transfer window, but addressing their issues at left-back could be one of them.

While Ricardo Calafiori has started the last two Premier League matches in that position, he has struggled for form and fitness since arriving from Bologna for £42million in July. Myles Lewis-Skelly has enjoyed a fine breakthrough season in the first-team at left-back, but he might be transitioned into midfield having played there for the Under 18s and Under 21s. Kieran Tierney, who is out of contract in the summer, has been linked with a stunning return to Celtic and Oleksandr Zinchenko's future has become uncertain.

And The Sun have reported that Arsenal could lose Zinchenko this month. It's said that Inter Milan are preparing an opening bid to sign the Ukraine international. Arteta is understood to be 'open-minded' over a departure for Zinchenko, who has started just three matches for the Gunners this season.

In fact, the 28-year-old has made just 11 appearances across all competitions and came off the bench for the final 12 minutes of their 2-0 semi-final first-leg defeat against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Zinchenko has 18 months to run on his contract at the Emirates and Arsenal could cash in.

The question mark over Zinchenko's future comes as Arsenal continue to remain interested in France international Theo Hernandez. The AC Milan defender's future is uncertain, with his contract running out in June 2026 and there has been no significant progress on a renewal, according to reports in Italy.

Hernandez, 27, has established himself as a key figure in the Milan side over the last couple of years but he struggled under recently-sacked Paulo Fonseca. However, he did score and grab an assist during their historic 3-2 win over arch rivals Inter Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana final on Monday.

If Hernandez joined Arsenal, he could help support out-of-form Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian has not been at his flying best this season, scoring just six goals and adding two assists in 27 appearances. He dropped down to the bench for the trip to Brighton and missed a golden chance against Newcastle on Tuesday.

It does feel as though Martinelli could do with some support on that side and Hernandez would no doubt bring that with his attacking threat. Despite being considered as a left-back, Hernandez has an incredible record going forward, netting 32 goals and grabbing 42 assists in 235 matches for Milan.

Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel

Join our Arsenal WhatsApp channel and get all the latest breaking news, opinion, podcasts and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Arsenal writers straight to your phone!

By following this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens, when it happens.

To join our dedicated Arsenal channel, all you have to do is click this link and you can join thousands of others following our Gunners coverage!

If you're curious, you can check out our privacy policy here.