Arsenal have recalibrated their January transfer targets, following painful news emerging at Luton last night
(Image credit: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal will have to rethink their January transfer business, following an admission from Mikel Arteta last night.
The Gunners laboured to a 4-3 win away to Luton Town, with £105 million man Declan Rice heading a stoppage-time winner after a pulsating contest. With Aston Villa and Liverpool on the horizon, the festive period is about to deliver games thick and fast for Arsenal, now.
And though Arteta has been previously linked with strikers and midfielders, he may now be about to make a u-turn on those plans.
Declan Rice struck his second winning goal for Arsenal last night (Image credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
The Mail have confirmed Arsenal's worst fears over Japanese utility man, Takehiro Tomiyasu, following his injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend.
Tomiyasu limped off in the win at the Emirates Stadium and is now set to miss three to four weeks of action, including the trip to Anfield. Given that the 25-year-old was beginning to come into form, this will be a huge blow to Arteta – but the upcoming Asian Cup will be a further blow.
Arsenal now have just five fit first team defenders, in the shape of Benjamin White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior. Jurrien Timber is out injured and expected back next year, while Reuell Walters is yet to make a senior appearance the side.
Jurrien Timber isn't back for another few months (Image credit: Getty Images)
According to Portuguese outlet Record, the north Londoners could return for Sporting star Ousmane Diomande at some point, having bid £30m over the summer.
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Declan Rice is an option in the backline too, should injuries pile up.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
