The January transfer window is nearly upon us and Arsenal will be looking at how they can restructure the squad as much as possible in the winter, following a very poor first half of the season. A Boxing Day win over Chelsea highlighted some positives for Arsenal to focus on and there are players set to return from injury to boost under-fire boss Mikel Arteta.
1 – Emile Smith Rowe
One of those to come in and impress in the win against Chelsea was 20-year-old Emile Smith Rowe. The Hale End academy graduate has been highly thought of for some time but injuries have hampered his progress. Smith Rowe was brought to Leipzig on loan, which tells you all you need to know about his potential. He then had a spell in the Championship where he impressed at a struggling Huddersfield. He’s had to work hard to be in Premier League squads this season and now he’s stumbled into the team due to injuries, Arteta will surely keep him there. He turned 20 in the summer, but already looks Arsenal’s most natural internal fit to play with a more traditional number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
2 – Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey is likely to be out for a couple of more weeks yet but when the Ghanain returns fully fit, he is a serious weapon for Arsenal in midfield. Granit Xhaka, Mohammed Elneny and Dani Ceballos have all tried but failed to consistently deliver in Partey absence and when he has played, he’s looked head and shoulders above the Gunners other midfield options.
3 – Gabriel Martinelli
Gabi has come back into the team and immediately revitalised the energy levels of the players around him. He looks sharp considering he’s been out for so long. Arteta needs to manage his minutes carefully and not put too much reliance on him, but the youngster is showing he has all the abilities to help turn this season around. After so long on the sidelines, he certainly feels like a new signing.
4 – Pierre Aubameyang
Aubameyang has been struggling this season to find his scoring touch, but with the Gunners now facing an easier run of games and the three other players in the article coming into the team, it should see Aubameyang get more chances infront of goal and if he can net a couple of times in a row, he could start to turn a corner.