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Arsenal commenced their 2019 year with a flattering 4-1 win over their city-rivals Fulham, but they are in need of some quality reinforcements in the winter transfer market, as injuries have played a significant part in their season this term.
In addition to that, several forwards in the current Arsenal squad are ageing and some fresh blood in the dressing room is necessary. The likes of Mkhitaryan and Ozil have entered their 30s and Aubameyang is at 29. The North Londoners are heavily linked to a few young-stars but none of the transfers has yet materialised.
Arsenal's performance in the winter transfer market will be the decider of the remainder of the season. A top 4 finish with the current squad looks a big deal for Emery's side, so the Gunners might want to sign some brilliant players if they are to dream about Champions League football.
Arsenal has been linked with several players, but apart from that, these are the 3 important transfers they must complete in order to compete for the title, or at least for a top 4 finish.
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#4 Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
If Manchester United successfully sign either Kostas Manolas or Kalidou Koulibaly, Eric Bailly might be on his way out. And he would be a perfect choice for the Gunners. Bailly is only 24, and getting him for a loan deal until the end of the season, or a permanent transfer worth €15 to €20 million would be great and cheap for the Emirates outfit.
A much better choice compared to Cahill, Eric Bailly is similarly an outcast at Manchester United, although that could alter with Ole’s firing. That could work in Arsenal’s favour as a cut-price deal has been touted. The Ivorian is strong, athletic, and surprisingly skilful.
The Gunners are in true need of some world-class reinforcements in their defensive line-up, as they have conceded nearly 31 goals in 21 games, twice as much as their fierce rivals Chelsea.
With Holding out, the Arsenal board will have to get at least one quality defender in this transfer window. Shkodran Mustafi is clearly not good enough, and Laurent Koscienly's season-long injury has forced him to start from scratch. Sokratis is the only defender Arsenal can rely on, and as he is Emery's choice, he will be in the squad for the years to come.
Eric Bailly will certainly solve the defensive crisis in the Arsenal squad, but the deal is still not complete. According to the Express, Bailly is allowed to leave Manchester United in January.
#3 Ever Banega (Sevilla)
With Aaron Ramsey highly unlikely to strike a new deal with Arsenal, the club is heavily active in the market as they are in search of a quality midfielder who can take the place of the Welshman, and Ever Banega is the man who has grabbed the board's attention.
According to Mirror, Ever Banega has been tipped to join Arsenal from Sevilla in a deal worth £18m. After playing under Emery at Valencia and Sevilla, Banega seems bound to join Emery for the third time. Emery seems bent on signing the 30-year-old Argentine and he’s acting fast. He could be seen as a replacement for the outgoing Aaron Ramsey, or at least, he will be adding quality depth in this Arsenal side, who are currently suffering due to injuries.
Several Gunners have been disappointed with the board for going after a 30-year-old Banega instead of completing the deals with Nicolas Pepe or Ousmane Dembele. But the thing is, it is better to get Banega currently, for a few reasons.
Firstly, Arsenal does not have time to test. Emery has worked with Banega in the past and the Argentine knows Emery's style of play, which would make it much easier for him to start performing on a great level. Secondly, he is extremely experienced. Emery led Sevilla to a hat-trick of Europa Leagues between 2014 and 2016, with Banega being a Sevilla player in 2015 and 2016.
Dembele is highly unlikely to join the Gunners, and Roma has rejected Arsenal's first bid for Cengiz Under.
Banega would add immense quality to the squad. He can replace Granit Xhaka at times and I doubt if you have noticed, but Xhaka has been playing game after game for Arsenal, without adequate rest. The reason is that Arsenal do not have a CM as good as him in their ranks.
So, in my opinion, Banega would be a vital addition to the squad.
#2 Denis Suarez (Barcelona)
The out-of-favour midfielder would be a perfect long-term replacement for the leaving Aaron Ramsey, who is most likely to leave the club by the end of the season. Unai Emery lately hinted at the possibilities to sign a couple of players, but it would likely be on loan deals.
Ever Banega is 30, so he is obviously not the long-term solution for Arsenal, whereas Denis is young and is already familiar with Unai Emery's style, which will help him settle faster.
Denis Suarez has not been getting any playing time under Ernesto Valverde, and he has only 6 appearances in the Blaugrana colours this term. Suarez has been heavily linked with the North London side, and he would be a great addition to the current squad.
The Spanish midfielder is strong, talented and is very composed on the ball; major quality of every La Masia graduate. Unai Emery has worked alongside the 24-year-old at Valencia and this might act as a vital point in bringing him to the Emirates.
Denis is a versatile player, who can be deployed either on the wings or as a CAM, whichever the gaffer prefers. I've been a keen follower of the La Masia players, and he is one of the few who has impressed me with his incredible talents.
#1 Nicolas Pepe
Nicolas Pepe is one of the hot young prospects all over Europe currently. He has attracted quite a lot of big clubs in England, Spain and even Germany, and Arsenal is probably leading the race to sign him if they are ready to pay his price.
“I hope he will stay this winter. We'll do everything to keep him. All the top clubs in the world have their eyes on him, and that's normal, but the president has been clear. The idea is for him to continue at the club. In contrast, with my experience in football, I would say that if a club arrives with a big number and can convince the player... I would sell him for €80 million. That's the price tag, but you'd have to convince the player and he's been a big part of us being in second place.”
-- Luis Campos, sporting director at Lille, speaking to Telefoot concerning Pepe.
One thing is pretty clear from the above talks of Luis, and that is Nicolas Pepe won't come for cheap. The Arsenal board have been warned about his price tag and any bid of less than €80 million will likely be rejected.
The lack of a quality winger and a playmaker is crystal clear in this Arsenal squad, and if they have the funds to go for the Ivorian player, why should they wait for summer? I am sure Pepe would not mind joining the Emirates in the winter.
