Winning ticket?
The January transfer window has always been one that is trickier for the Premier League clubs to navigate. Good value is notoriously difficult to find, particularly with sellers often in a stronger position, knowing that there may be a hint of desperation from the English top-flight buyers. It might be a club desperate for new signings to assist a relegation fight, or as is the case with Arsenal right now, a club wishing to strengthen is a push to European football, and perhaps even a return to the Champions League.
The additional complication for Arsenal, as we speak, is that in the central midfield area, the need for reinforcements may not be permanent. So, whilst the push to sign Dusan Vlahovic might be a purchase with, Aubameyang having burnt his bridges and Lacazette and Nketiah soon out of contract, is understandable the pressing need for a midfielder may not be. With Xkaha again suspended and Partey and Elneny on international duty, Mikel Arteta needs new bodies in the short-term but the search for longer term signings may be left until the summer window.
Can’t turn clock back can we?
This is why fans are clamouring for a weekly contract for Jack Wilshere, back working and training with the squad. However, what seems far more likely and more realistic is the loan move for Brazilian midfielder, Arthur Melo, from Juventus. The player is reportedly keen on the move, as he has fallen down the pecking order under Allegri in his second season after the big money move from Barca and needs to play to regain his place on his country’s World Cup plans. There are several reports that this deal could be confirmed today, although it would be too late for the midfielder to play at Tottenham on Sunday.
A winning ticket in 20/21
Loan deals have had mixed success for Arsenal and indeed Arteta in recent seasons and the moves in the temporary transfer market be seen as something of a casino game gamble, such as those you might find when playing here. Last season the loan deal for Martin Odegaard was certainly a success and the Norwegian’s displays convinced the Spaniard to invest in a permanent deal in last summer. However, whilst Odegaard proved a winning ticket in the loan lottery, the second loan spell for Dani Ceballos was far from beneficial and arguably backfired. Worse still, and one that still pains Arsenal fans was the loan of Cedric from Southampton when injured and perhaps the biggest loan lottery disaster was the January 2018 loan deal for Denis Suarez. Billed as a silky wide playmaker, Suarez was signed when injured and between January and May managed on 4 substitute appearances in the Premier League. The player himself described 2018 as a year to forget and I am sure most Arsenal fans would want to forget the player!
Suarez disaster
I believe the Arthur Melo deal, however, has merit, and Arteta may believe he can rekindle the 2018-20 version of the midfielder, who starred for Barcelona. The concern is that by the time the Brazilian is up to speed and fully match fit, Partey will be back hoping to pick up where he left off and Xhaka will be free of suspension. That said with he will be an upgrade on Elneny, and at 25 and experienced support for Sambi Lokonga. So, if the loan only provides an upgrade on the departed Maitland-Niles and relegates Elneny to 5th choice it may prove a shrewd move and a winning loan lottery ticket.
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