Arteta ‘expects’ playmaker to arrive in January; several names in frame

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ‘expects’ the arrival of a creative midfielder in the January transfer window, according to reports.

A resurgent Gunners side have won their last three Premier League, but are still looking to strengthen their squad this month.

Arteta decided to leave his most creative player in Mesut Ozil out of his Premier League and Europa League squads at the start of the campaign.

And while Emile Smith Rowe has flourished in the No 10 position, the Gunners want another creative addition.

With the January transfer window now open, Arteta only has a matter of weeks to add to his squad.

And Fabrizio Romano, writing for CBS Sports, as cited by HITC, has claimed the Gunners boss ‘expects’ a signing to take place this month.

“While Arsenal are planning for future signings, they are also thinking about making some sales in this window,” he wrote.

“After left-back Sead Kolasinac, 27, officially agreed to rejoin Bundesliga minnows Schalke, the focus has shifted toward selling Greek center-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos and German midfielder Mesut Ozil.

“The German midfielder has been offered to Juventus in recent weeks. But the Bianconeri have refused because they are betting on Dejan Kulusevski as a future talent in that role.

“Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expects a quality midfielder in January as a reinforcement.”

Two names in the frame

Arsenal have been linked with Real Madrid star Isco, although Zinedine Zidane is loathed to lose the Spain star.

More recently the Gunners have been chasing Norwich playmaker Emiliano Buendia. The attacking midfielder has helped the Canaries to the top of the Championship table.

A report on Monday claimed that Arsenal were willing to use two youngsters to lure the Argetine to The Emirates.

Buendia was rated at £20million over the summer, although that price would have since gone up.

The player struck his seventh of the season on Saturday as Barnsley were beaten 1-0 at Carrow Road.

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