January 7th 2025.
Former Arsenal player Ian Wright is hopeful that the club is actively searching for new players in the transfer market to strengthen their squad. Wright believes that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been overly reliant on the creativity of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, and it is imperative for the club to bring in reinforcements during the January transfer window.
At the start of the season, Odegaard was sidelined for two months due to an ankle injury, and it is no coincidence that Arsenal's recent improvement in form has coincided with the Norwegian's return to full fitness. However, just as the Gunners were gaining momentum, Saka's injury has threatened to derail their progress once again. The talented forward is not expected to return until March, which is a significant blow to Arsenal's chances of catching up to league leaders Liverpool.
Saka has been a standout player for Arsenal this season, scoring nine goals and providing 13 assists in all competitions. Wright fears that Arsenal may miss the opportunity to strengthen their attacking options while they have the chance, despite Gabriel Jesus' recent resurgence. He expressed his concerns during ITV's coverage of Arsenal's Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle.
Wright was joined by Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who emphasized the danger posed by Saka's absence and the pressure on Odegaard to create chances. He also mentioned the impressive form of Newcastle's star striker Alexander Isak, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal. According to Wright, Isak is currently one of the best centre-forwards in European football.
Despite the speculation surrounding Isak's potential transfer, Howe made it clear that the young striker is not for sale. He urged his players to ignore the rumors and focus on their performance on the pitch. Howe explained that dealing with transfer rumors is part of the job, and he has learned to tune out the noise and focus on the facts.
As Arsenal prepare to face Newcastle, it is clear that they will have to work hard to break down a strong and physical team. Wright and Howe both believe that it will be a challenging game for the Gunners, and they are eager to see how they will handle Newcastle's attacking threat. Despite their differences, both men agree that Arsenal would benefit from strengthening their squad in the January transfer window.
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