Arsenal’s ambition to reassert themselves as title contenders has never been more evident as reports suggest Mikel Arteta is plotting a significant January spending spree, with a focus on two high-profile La Liga stars.
The Gunners have endured a challenging period recently, with just two points from their last four Premier League fixtures, prompting Arteta to reassess his squad and target reinforcements to bolster both the attacking and creative departments. If reports are to be believed, Arsenal are ready to invest upwards of £84 million in a double swoop for Barcelona’s Raphinha and Real Madrid’s Arda Güler.
The North London club’s recent dip in form has seen them slip to fourth in the Premier League standings, now trailing league leaders Liverpool by nine points and sitting four points behind defending champions Manchester City. Arsenal’s disappointing run coincided with the red card of William Saliba, who was sent off for the first time in his Premier League career during their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth. Since then, the Gunners have struggled to find their rhythm, drawing 2-2 with Liverpool, suffering a 1-0 loss to Newcastle, and being held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea in their most recent match.
Despite boasting one of the league’s most potent attacks last season, Arsenal have found it difficult to break down opponents in recent weeks. Currently, six teams have scored more goals than Arteta’s side, and the Arsenal boss is now reportedly intent on adding more attacking firepower in the January window. This has led to growing speculation that Raphinha, the Brazilian winger currently excelling at Barcelona, is a primary target for Arsenal.
Reports from Spain indicate that Arsenal are prepared to spend more than €100 million (£84m) to secure Raphinha and Güler, with Arteta seeing both players as crucial to his plans for the second half of the season. Raphinha’s form this season has been nothing short of sensational, and it’s no surprise that Arteta is keen to bring the Brazilian to the Emirates. The former Leeds United star has been a key figure in Barcelona’s attack, and Arteta’s admiration for him dates back to his time in the Premier League, where Raphinha impressed in his spell at Leeds.
However, securing Raphinha will not be straightforward. Barcelona, still dealing with financial issues, are unlikely to let their star player leave without a significant fee. It is reported that his transfer could cost in excess of €70 million, a sum that Arsenal are reportedly willing to meet. The Gunners, having secured Champions League football for the current campaign, will be hoping that the lure of top-tier European competition will help them in their pursuit of the Brazilian.
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Alongside Raphinha, Arsenal are also reportedly targeting Arda Güler, a talented Turkish playmaker currently plying his trade at Real Madrid. The 19-year-old has been a standout performer for Turkey, particularly during their successful Euro 2024 campaign, but has struggled for game time at Madrid under manager Carlo Ancelotti. With Güler failing to secure a regular starting spot at the Santiago Bernabéu, Arteta is said to be keen on bringing the promising youngster to the Premier League, where he would offer further creativity alongside Martin Ødegaard in Arsenal’s midfield.
The Gunners see Güler as a long-term successor to players like Ødegaard, with the potential to complement the Norwegian’s technical brilliance in the creative zone. While Real Madrid may be reluctant to part with their prized young talent, Güler’s valuation is reportedly much more affordable than that of Raphinha, with a fee in the region of €40 million being mooted. However, Arsenal will still face competition for the player’s signature, with other top clubs likely to express interest in securing Güler’s services.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are also reportedly in the market for further midfield reinforcements, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi emerging as a target. Zubimendi, who has been a key figure in La Liga, could be on the move as reports suggest he is “very close” to a transfer to North London. Arsenal have long been linked with the Spanish midfielder, and Arteta’s desire to bring him to the Premier League remains strong.
Zubimendi’s release clause, believed to be around €60 million, is not expected to be a barrier for a club like Arsenal, who have the financial backing to push through the deal. The 24-year-old is seen as a potential replacement or backup for the Gunners’ current midfield options, offering a more defensive profile to complement the attacking style that Arteta has instilled at the club. However, Arsenal will face stiff competition from Manchester City and other elite clubs, all of whom are likely to be in the running for the talented Spanish international.
Arteta’s summer spending spree, which included high-profile acquisitions, has already paid dividends in many areas, but the recent dip in form has made it clear that further investment is needed to maintain their momentum in the title race. The potential arrival of Raphinha, Güler, and Zubimendi would signal a proactive approach from Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy, as they look to not only secure a top-four finish but also mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title.
In particular, strengthening the attack and midfield areas is crucial as Arsenal look to find a more consistent level of performance. While players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been impressive, Arteta will be keen to increase depth in these positions to avoid fatigue and injury disruptions in the second half of the season. Adding Raphinha, with his pace and creativity, would undoubtedly add another dimension to Arsenal’s forward line, while Güler’s technical skills and vision could provide the team with the extra creative spark they have occasionally lacked.
With the January transfer window on the horizon, it’s clear that Arsenal are not content to rest on their laurels despite their recent challenges. Instead, they are prepared to invest heavily to bolster their squad and continue their development under Arteta. Whether or not the club can pull off the double signing of Raphinha and Güler remains to be seen, but the reported interest in both players is a sign of Arsenal’s ambition to remain competitive at the very highest level.
As Arsenal continue to regroup and push forward in the Premier League and Champions League, the next few months could prove crucial in shaping their fortunes for the remainder of the season. If Arteta can land his targets in January, Arsenal will be in an even stronger position to challenge for silverware in what is shaping up to be a thrilling season at the top of English football. With further investment on the horizon, the Gunners could be set to take another significant step forward in their quest to reclaim the Premier League title.