Mikel Arteta confirms desire to sign new midfielder in January

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that his side could do with some midfield reinforcements before the January transfer window closes for business.

Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have formed the Gunners' first-choice engine room pairing this season, and their partnership has been key in Arsenal's run to the top of the Premier League table.

Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny have been acting as deputies for Xhaka and Partey, but the former in particular has struggled to make the most of Europa League and cup opportunities.

Elneny, meanwhile, was handed a new one-year deal by Arsenal in the summer, but he has already spent a significant chunk of the season out with a hamstring injury and is currently sidelined with a fresh knee problem.

Arsenal opted against signing a new midfielder in the most recent summer window, despite persistent links with Leicester City's Youri Tielemans and three failed deadline day bids for Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, and there are only a few days left in the January window for the North London giants to add to their ranks.

© Reuters

However, Arteta confirmed his desire to sign a new midfielder in Wednesday's pre-Manchester City press conference, although he acknowledges that it will be a challenge to get a new face through the door.

"Well, we need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can but obviously, in this market, it's very complicated to do that," Arteta said ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round trip to the Etihad Stadium.

"But as I always say the most important thing is that we get the performances and the time on the pitch that we need with the players we have available today that are already really good."

Elneny has missed Arsenal's last two games with what was originally thought to have been a knock, but Arteta has admitted that he is worried about the prospect of a longer layoff for the Egyptian.

"There are concerns, especially (because) Mo is a player who never complains about anything. But let's see," Arteta said of Elneny, who could depart on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Gunners are believed to have made West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice their top midfield target, but they will have to wait until the summer before attempting to sign the England international.

© Reuters

The same can be said for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, who supposedly does not want to leave the Spanish side this month, in spite of Arsenal being willing to pay his €60m (£53m) release clause.

Everton's Amadou Onana and Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo have also been linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium, where Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior have already arrived this month.

Trossard made his debut as a substitute in Sunday's 3-2 Premier League win over Manchester United, playing a key role in Eddie Nketiah's 90th-minute winner during a bright cameo.

Kiwior was in the stands for that game before his move from Spezia was confirmed on Monday, and he could now make his first appearance for Arsenal against Man City in the FA Cup.

Arsenal defeated Oxford United 3-0 in the third round and are aiming to win the FA Cup for a record-extending 15th time this season, having defeated Man City in the 2019-20 semi-finals prior to their 14th triumph.