Arsenal keeping tabs on 23-year-old La Liga breakout star ahead of a potential January swoop: Reports

Arsenal are keen on adding some defensive depth this January, with manager Mikel Arteta keen on onboarding Girona left back Miguel Gutierrez. Despite his team's shaky start to the campaign, the 23-year-old has performed well at an individual level.

Now, as per reports from journalist Matteo Moretto (via TeamTalk), the Gunners are considering making a move for Gutierrez. However, they are likely to face competition from Bologna, Bayern Munich, and Bayer Leverkusen.

The same report also states that Bologna made a move for Miguel Gutierrez in the summer but the player 'was not 100 percent convinced by the move' and chose to remain at Girona. Considering he would have got the opportunity to play in the Champions League for either of the two clubs, it makes sense Gutierrez chose a familiar environment.

The Spaniard featured 35 times for Girona in La Liga last season, scoring two goals and also providing seven assists. His consistency as well as ability to provide the odd goal contribution seems to have caught Arsenal's attention as they struggle with depth in the left back position.

Jurrien Timber was out for the entirety of last season, with the Gunners relying on Oleksandr Zinchenko as the primary option and injury-prone Takehiro Tomiyasu as backup. However, like every other position, Arteta will need a player who can be available for over 30 league games per season. This is where Miguel Gutierrez could be an excellent fit.

Being 23, he would fit the existing group like a hand in a glove and being from Spain, Mikel Arteta could help him acclimatize in no time.

However, Girona reportedly value Gutierrez at £34 million and it remains to be seen if Arsenal would be willing to spend that much in January.

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Arsenal release squad photo for 2024-25 Premier League season

Earlier today (September 17), Arsenal took to their social media accounts to post a photo of their complete squad for the ongoing Premier League season. A total of 26 players and manager Mikel Arteta were pictured at the Sobha Realty Training Center.

Captain Martin Odegaard and star player Bukayo Saka can be seen seated next to the manager, with the entire front row comprising of key players. Besides 22 senior players, the squad also features four teenagers.

Ethan Nwaneri (17), Ayden Heaven (17), goalkeeper Tommy Setford (18) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (17) were all included in the first-team picture.

The Gunners will be in action next against Atalanta in the Champions League on September 19 and will look to make a good start in the competition's new format.