Arsenal have funds to sign winger in January, doubts emerge over player's willingness to leave current club: Reports

Arsenal reportedly have the funds to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams in January as they could miss Bukayo Saka for several months. As reported by The Daily Mail via TBR Football, the Gunners can afford the Spaniard's release clause around £50 million.

Arsenal typically like to sign players during the summer transfer window but have a tricky situation, with Bukayo Saka out with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli has not been at his best on the left flank either, with Arteta often turning to Leandro Trossard instead.

Hence, it has been suggested that the Gunners could be active in January to bolster their wide ranks with Nico Williams. The Spain international is capable of playing on either flank and would offer the firepower that they could miss in Saka's absence.

Williams was heavily linked with a host of clubs during the summer including the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona. He reportedly turned down the chance to sign for the Blaugrana and ended up staying at his boyhood club.

It has been claimed that there are uncertainties about whether Williams would be open to leaving Athletic Bilbao in the middle of the season. The 22-year-old has not been at his absolute best this campaign though, with just two goals and five assists in 22 games.

Williams enjoyed a solid season last time out, scoring eight goals and providing 19 assists in 37 appearances across competitions. He also played a key role in helping Spain win the Euro 2024, bagging two goals and one assist in six games.

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Mikel Arteta opens up on what Arsenal need to do to catch up with Liverpool in the title race

Mikel Arteta has sent a public message towards his players as Arsenal trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by nine points. The Gunners have not quite been at their best this season as they have fallen a long way behind Arne Slot's side in the title race.

Arsenal have the chance to close the gap on Liverpool to six points on Wednesday, January 1 when they take on Brentford away from home. Ahead of the game, Mikel Arteta has sent a strong message for his players. The Gunners boss said, as quoted by The Mirror:

“We have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day, and if someone wins all the matches then congratulate them and then go to the next season. But if they don’t - which in history it hasn’t happened - then we will be there."

Arteta added:

“It doesn’t depend on us. But we will have full focus on Brentford because our minds have to be on what we have to do. We have to recover because not just now but also in the next few weeks, we have so many games, so many competitions and we need to be right up there.”

Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 win against Ipswich Town in their last game but face a tricky trip to the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday. Brentford are 12th in the table and are excellent at home as they are second in the home table with 22 points in nine games.