Transfer rumors involving Arsenal as Mikel Arteta continues to outline his ambitions for the January window, noting that several areas require reinforcements
Prior to spending his first summer at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta had a lot of issues to deal with as he was getting his bearings in London Colney. To be perfectly honest, the playing group for the Gunners wasn’t up to the previous level.
The North Londoners were skulking in 11th place in the Premier League standings when Arteta took over for Unai Emery in December 2019. The Gunners’ eight victories in the second half of the season—against West Ham, Newcastle, Manchester United, and Liverpool—helped them to an eighth-place finish and the FA Cup.
Work to shape Arriving long ahead of the 2019–20 season’s conclusion, Arteta’s team included Thomas Partey, Gabriel Magalhaes, Willian, and Martin Odegaard. Supporters, though, will recall Arsenal’s bid to sign Chris Smalling.
After suffering at Manchester United, the center defender turned his career around with a successful loan at AS Roma. He was a natural fit for Italian football because of his strength and pace, and Arteta was clearly a fan.
After months of rumors, AS Roma announced their definitive relocation for a £18 million transaction. After three years, the Gunners have two of the greatest center defenders in the Premier League, placing them among the best in the division.
Now that the January transfer window is approaching, Smalling is predicted to depart Roma following four years. Teams in the Saudi Professional League are monitoring him, although he may consider returning to England, according to some sources.
Smalling has spent the most of this season on the sidelines after playing 85 games in the previous two seasons and helping Roma win the inaugural UEFA Conference League.
Smalling, or ‘Smalldini’ as he’s been known in Italy, has suffered with tendonitis in his knee since the third game of the season. It’s understood that the defender’s reluctance to try various therapeutic methods to aid his recovery means he could be out until the new year.
Arsenal’s transfer strategy will be heavily focused on avoiding players with a track record of injuries after their horrid luck with setbacks. As many will remember, Arteta and the club were denied their first Premier League title since 2004 courtesy of a long-term injury to Saliba last campaign.