Arsenal transfer latest: Two big signings incoming for Arteta, but more pressing deal eyed to block Man City raid

Arsenal are hopeful of adding up to three signings to their ranks in January with the club believing an influx of additional talent could push the Gunners all the way in the title race, TEAMtalk has been informed.

Mikel Arteta’s surprise top the Premier League table with 13 matches played, having won 11 and lost just one of their matches so far. Indeed, their battling 1-0 victory at Chelsea last time out had Rio Ferdinand purring and saw the pundit label them the ‘real deal’.

And despite spending around £100m in the summer on five new players, they were perhaps not expected to feature in the title race.

However, wins over Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham have outlined the Gunners as serious contenders. And there is a growing belief at Emirates Stadium that Arteta has a special group of players on his hands.

That said, the Gunners boss did not quite do sign all the players he wanted to in the summer window. Arteta was also keen to bring in a new midfielder, seeing a deadline day swoop for Douglas Luiz fall short.

The Brazilian has since signed a new deal at Aston Villa, meaning a January swoop is unlikely.

However, Arteta remains in the hunt for more midfield reinforcements and our feature looked at five potential options.

Arteta is also in the running to sign a new winger. Shakhtar’s Mykhaylo Mudryk and Facundo Torres of Orlando City are both in his sights.

A cheaper option could emerge though in the form of a departing Barcelona star.

Arteta promised Arsenal transfer funds

TEAMtalk’s transfer insider Graeme Bailey is fully expecting Arsenal to be active in January.

And he reckons Gunners chiefs will furnish Arteta with at least two new signings – and possibly even three.

“Arsenal are backing Mikel Arteta in January, sources are confirming that is the case and for a number of reasons,” Bailey told TEAMtalk.

“There is the opportunity for them to make the unexpected push for the title, and they don’t think they are too far away. They want to bolster the midfield department with a couple and possibly a winger, but they really don’t think they are too far away.”

Bailey reckons Arsenal, though, are keeping tabs on the future of boss Arteta.

His results at Arsenal have not gone unnoticed elsewhere and the two big-hitters are keeping tabs on his situation.

“And also there is keeping Arteta – his performance for Arsenal has not gone unnoticed, both in his homeland with Barcelona and also former club Manchester City.

“City are planning to keep Pep Guardiola, but he is yet to sign his new deal. And should he depart, a succession plan is being put in place, and Arteta is on it,” Bailey added.

Arteta’s focus, though, appears very much still on Arsenal, especially with the January window opening for business in just 52 days.

Pushed on whether January could change things, Arteta said: “That’s a window that is open. We’ll have to discuss the opportunities that we have, the capacity that we have for any changes and be on the market for opportunities.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen the last game before the World Cup. So it’s a lot of options that are open.”

READ MORE ~ Arsenal transfer news: Double link prompts Arteta to allow summer signing to leave