Firstly to the striking section. Just as Manchester United surely need to sign midfielders in January, you can’t imagine Arsenal getting to the end of the month without bringing in an additional striker of some description.
Be it a loan or a permanent, major deal Arsenal need an extra front man, particularly with recent injuries to the front line. After around eight years in the wilderness they are in a great position in the league and surely the manager Arsene Wenger will not be resting on his laurels.
The latest news cycle suggests that Arsenal may be in for Brazilian striker Rodrigo. The Metro says that Arsenal may pip Zenit St. Petersburg to a loan deal for the next six months.
Zenit had agreed a £25million deal to sign him earlier in the window, but the striker has stalled on the move, and Arsenal are now in the race.
According to O Jogo, Arsenal want to sign him on-loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.
Benfica would prefer a straight sale, but believe they could raise more money by allowing the striker to impress in the Premier League first.
The 22 year old, who was schooled at Real Madrid and had a stint at Bolton in 2010/11, has scored 23 in 56 games for Benfica – not a bad return at all for one so young.
The second potential arrival is 23 year old Senegalese left back Pape Souare. The same source says of Arsenal’s interest:
Arsenal have stepped up their scouting of Lille full-back Pape Souare amid reports of a possible January transfer.
The 23-year-old defender was reportedly looked at by the Gunners during Lille’s clash with Saint Etienne at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard on Sunday.
Apparently the lad has got pace to burn and loves to maraud forward at any opportunity. But with Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal (fitness allowing) there already you would imagine that the lad would have fierce competition just to get on the bench.
Anyway, let’s see Rodrigo in action. Arsenal fans, is this the answer to your striker shortage for the second half of the season?
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