After a solid summer in the player transfer market, Arsenal now find themselves pushing for a Champions League spot this season, and manager Mikel Arteta has finally begun to assert his tactical influence over the team.

The Gunners are now firmly in contention for fourth place and they are still in contention for the Carabao Cup (League Cup), but there are holes in the squad that need to be filled, starting with the striker .

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s temporary ban has created a need for the striker, with Alexandre Lacazette returning just three goals in 14 league appearances, although the Frenchman has gone from strength to strength since Aubameyang was sidelined. And although Gabriel and Ben White have been strong in central defence, the club could also use an upgrade from Rob Holding.

MORE: Should Balogun and Nketiah leave in January?

Meanwhile, left-back Sead Kolasinac is out of contract this summer and already has clubs interested in his services. The question is whether any of them will shell out the money for him in January.

Below is the updated list of Arsenal player transactions during the January 2022 transfer window and the updated squad list:

Arsenal transfers: January 2022 winter window

Incoming players:

Absent players:

Arsenal squad 2021-22

Below is the updated Arsenal first team list. New additions during the January 2022 window are shown in bold:

Guardians (3): Bernd Leno, Arthur Okonkwo, Aaron Ramsdale

Defenders (10): Cédric, Calum Chambers, Gabriel, Rob Holding, Sead Kolasinac, Pablo Mari, Nuno Tavares, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White

Midfielders (7): Mohamed Elneny, Alberto Lokonga, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Granit Xhaka

Forwards (6): Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Folarin Balogun, Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Nicolas Pepe

Arsenal have projected the starting line-up taking into account any squad changes in January:

Arsenal projected their starting XI (4-2-3-1, left to right): Ramsdale (GK)—Tierney, Gabriel, White, Tomiyasu—Partey, Xhaka—Smith Rowe, Odegaard, Saka—Lacazette.

Arsenal reinforcements: Leno (GK), Okonkwo (GK), Holding (CB), Chambers (CB), Pablo Mari (CB), Kolasinac (LB), Tavares (LB), Cédric (RB), El Neny (CM), Lokonga (CM ), Aubameyang (CF), Balogun (CF), Nketiah (CF), Martinelli (LW), Pepe (RW).

(GK = Goalkeeper; CB = Central Defender; LB = Left Defender; RB = Right Defender; CM = Central Midfielder; RM = Right Midfielder; CF = Center Forward; LW = Left Wing; RW = Right Wing )

Arsenal transfer rumors and news

Here’s the latest on the Arsenal transfer front based on reports in England:

Aubameyang Status: Latest Updates

Transfer speculation involving Arsenal is a regular feature Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Last name. The Gabon international, who is taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations with his country, has been stripped of his captaincy and banned for the time being due to a disciplinary issue, and with his contract expiring in the summer of 2023 Now, could be the perfect time to secure the maximum value from a potential transfer.

MORE: Why Aubameyang was stripped of the captain’s armband

Aubameyang’s situation could present an opportunity for Newcastle, who have the ability to spend big, but Arsenal veteran Granit Xhaka predicts Auba will be ‘back and better than before’ on Arsenal’s front line . The Gabon international tested positive for COVID-19 while on his way to join Gabon’s squad for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, pictured partying in Dubai with international teams. It won’t help his chances of finding a new club, nor will it make him more attached to Mikel Arteta.

Recently, however, a report by freelance journalist Dean Jones on his podcast suggests Juventus could be interested in Aubameyang after Federico Chiesa’s major injury will see the Italian out for the rest of the season.

Arsenal looking for a new striker

the Dusan Vlahovic the links are multiplying lately. Athletic’s David Ornstein said on his podcast that while Fiorentina are still likely to hang on to Vlahovic until the summer, Arsenal are doing all they can to give the Italian club a reason to pull the trigger now. Unfortunately for the Gunners, according to a report from Football London, Vlahovic prefers to stay in Italy. James Horncastle of The Athletic also reports that Vlahovic is demanding wages in excess of $400,000 a week, which could cost many clubs dearly. Dean Jones also spoke about it on his podcast, saying Arsenal are “very serious about it” and that it will be harder to convince the player than the club of a deal.

If Vlahovic fails to materialise, Arsenal follow Everton’s progress Dominic Calvert-Lewin, according to other reports in England, including the Evening Standard. The player comes back from a broken toe. He has scored double-digit goals in each of the past two seasons.

Staying with the attackers, Arteta wants to keep Eddie Nketiah, whose contract expires this summer. But the player is hungry for more playing time and a report from The Athletic says he wants a change of scenery. Same also for Folarin Balogun, with the 20-year-old striker attracting heavy loan interest, with reports of him heading to Middlesbrough on loan believed to be a done deal and just waiting for Balogun to clear a fight with COVID-19 to confirm officially the move.

Midfield Central Market

Rumors began in early December that Georginio Wijnaldum would be open to a return on loan in January in the Premier League, with life at PSG not going well. Reports said Arsenal were the favourites, but PSG weren’t ready to let him go. Those rumors have intensified as the window has opened, with FourFourTwo stating that Arsenal are working on a loan deal to help cover AFCON departures. Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol backed that up, saying Wijnaldum likes Arsenal as a club and his preference could give the Gunners an edge.

There’s a ton of buzz now about the arrival of Youri Tielemans from Leicester City, with Goal reporting that the Gunners have held talks with the player’s agent over a possible move. Tielemans is out of contract in 2023, so it might be time for Leicester City to get top dollar for a midfielder who has played a vital role in the club’s recent success. The Goal report says he is unlikely to sign a new contract with the Foxes, allowing Arsenal to pounce.

Arsenal target reported Denis Zakaria has made it clear that he will not re-sign with Borussia Mönchengladbach when his contract ends this summer. But there are other clubs that are also in the mix for the 25-year-old all-around center midfielder.

Dutch midfielder from Barcelona Frankie De Jong could be January’s surprise move for Arsenal, and although there haven’t been any solid links between the player and the club, the press has talked about it, with former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell endorsing the move. The Dutch midfielder has spoken of a fascination with Arsenal in the past, wanting to emulate Marc Overmars.

Arsenal have recently been linked with the Juventus midfielder arthur, who would be interested in a loan in London. L’Express say they would both be open to a change, unable to find a meaningful place in Massimiliano Allegri’s plans with just seven league appearances this season. Goal also reported Arthur as a possibility, although Juventus must replace him before approving the loan. According to RMC, these talks are at an advanced stage.

A new name that appears in mid-January is the young Palmeiras midfielder danilo who could be a target for the Gunners. The 20-year-old was part of Palmeiras’ midfield, helping the club win the Copa Libertadores title in November. He is rumored to be valued at around $30m, which Brazilian publication R7 report has already been offered by the London club.

On the outgoing front, Ainsley Maitland Niles left, joining Jose Mourinho after a loan spell at Roma. The one who could follow him is Xhaka Granite as Mourinho is reportedly keen on the Gunners midfielder, according to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport.

Other potential Arsenal reinforcements

Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy have linked the Gunners with Dejan Kulusevsky, and The Express report linked earlier confirms this, although Federico Chiesa’s ACL injury means he is more important for Juventus.

90min claims the Gunners are among several clubs watching Patrick Schick of Bayer Leverkusen although most of Europe are likely to have their eyes on the Euro star.

Spaniard Don Balon asks Arsenal to pressure rarely used players Luka Jovic from Real Madrid, but it’s hard to see Los Merengues parting ways with injured replacement Karim Benzema.

Finally, the Brighton star Tariq Lamptey is on Arsenal’s radar, according to journalist Duncan Castles. The Brighton & Hove Albion right-back has been playing well for his club and he could earn the big shot he’s been looking for since taking the gamble of joining Brighton on a permanent transfer from Chelsea.