What January holds in store for Arsenal

Alright kids, I make no bones about this being original but here we go, here’s what I’ve heard going into January. People are speculating that this is the most important transfer window under Wenger, so let’s hope it’s going to be a good one.

General disclaimer – This is what I’ve been told etc etc. Might happen, might not.

Goalkeeper

Arsenal are looking in this area, and competition for Szczesny is the requirement here. Whether Fabianski is too injury prone or Wenger has lost faith in him is anyone’s guess but here are the names in the frame.

Ali Al-Habsi – Has auditioned well for his prospective new team in recent weeks by chucking a few into his own goal. I would see him as being maybe the most likely in terms of price and name value, as I don’t think Szczesny would kick off too much if he was bought in.

Jose Reina – This link never goes away. Whether Liverpool would let him go, his wages and if he would be prepared to move for competition at his age still is uncertain.

Asmir Begovic – The dark horse in the three. This comes from a very good person, so not to be discounted.

Defenders

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – Gilles Grimandi has been seen in Montpellier a few times now, and the rumours are that he’s watching captain Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa or midfielder Younes Belhanda. Yanga-Mbiwa has recently penned a new deal to maximize the money Montpellier get for him. I always expected him to leave in the summer but Montpellier’s elimination from the Champions League may bring this one forward.

Jetro Willems - Controversial one here. While all in sundry believe Arsenal’s presence in Eindhoven has been all about midfielder Kevin Strootman, I’ve been told that it’s also to run the run over emerging left-back Jetro Willems. Andre Santos faces an uncertain time and could return to Turkey in January, so Willems would provide cover and competition for Gibbs.

Midfielders

Mohamed Diame – Thankfully, his hamstring injury may see him out for weeks rather than months. Cut-price release fee makes the most sense for Arsenal.

Luis Gustavo – I would love to see this happen. Set the Bundesliga alight at Hoffenheim before moving to Bayern, and would definitely give the bite to the Arsenal midfield.

Forwards

Thierry Henry – 6 weeks or 6 months. The Return of the King returns again. Just for how long?

Wilfried Zaha – A Gooner by admission, Zaha is an exciting prospect. Whether it’s for Walcott or Arshavin to make way if Zaha joins is another matter, and the signing will be judged against which one leaves.

Adrian Lopez – Gone a bit quiet on this one, but a release fee of around £12-14m may make this appealing.

So that’s it. Going to be a long January ahead, eh?