Mikel Arteta speaks out on Eddie Nketiah’s future and the chances of Arsenal signing a midfielder in January

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has, on Friday, provided an insight into both a potential incoming and outgoing from his squad in north London.

Reinforcements eyed

The subject of transfers has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines when it comes to ongoings at the Emirates of late.

This comes amid the aforementioned Arteta’s efforts to build a squad capable of not only securing a top-4 berth in the Premier League this season but, crucially, maintaining Champions League status for years to come.

The Gunners’ most persistent links of late have surrounded the potential arrival of a new hitman, amid Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s delicate situation in the English capital.

In fact, just today, transfer expert David Ornstein confirmed that, as things stand, Arsenal lead the race to land Fiorentina sensation Dusan Vlahovic.

🚨 Arsenal pushing to sign Dusan Vlahovic this month. If 21yo leaves Fiorentina now, #AFC currently ahead based on fee/salary. Decision of striker + agent will be key. Isak & Calvert-Lewin also admired
➕ Nketiah info, other positions & more @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/dFBt3vSmLe

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 7, 2022

Few, however, would likely argue with the fact that the Gunners’ most pressing need ahead of the 2nd-half of the campaign comes in the form of the addition of a new midfielder.

The departures of both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny for the African Cup of Nations, coupled with Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ loan move to AS Roma, have left Mikel Arteta with just Granit Xhaka and Sambi Lokonga as recognised senior options in the middle of the park for the coming month.

‘Look for options’

And, if the latest comments on the part of Arsenal’s boss himself are anything to go by, then, evidently, Arteta is fully aware of the need for fresh blood in his midfield ranks.

Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of his side’s FA Cup showdown with Nottingham Forest this weekend, the Spaniard was drawn on the chances of a midfielder arriving at the club before the January transfer window is out.

And Arteta went on to confirm that the transfer team at the Emirates do indeed plan to ‘look for options’ over the weeks ahead:

Arsenal manager Arteta on new midfielder to arrive in January: “We are very, very short at the moment. We are going to move and look for options because we are very short there”. 🔴👀 #AFC

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2022

Elsewhere, Arsenal’s headmaster was also pressed on the future of striker Eddie Nketiah, whose contract in north London is of course due to expire in the summer.

Arteta, though, went on to reiterate once more his hope that the English youngster will ultimately opt to pen fresh terms, explaining:

Arteta on Nketiah:

“I already spoke about Eddie and how I feel about him, the intentions of the club and where we are. He’s with us and I will keep having those discussions with him.”

— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) January 7, 2022

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