Arsenal are currently enduring a severely inconsistent season in the Premier League, but they still sit just two points off the top four in sixth place.

A run of decent form could see them move up the table and into the Champions League positions, and they can likely help themselves with a couple of astute signings when the January transfer window opens.

Here are the latest reports on the players Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal hierarchy are looking to bring to the Emirates in the new year.

 

Morgan Schneiderlin

Arsenal have long been without a proper defensive midfielder who can disrupt opposition attacks and distribute from deep.

They have very little protection in front of their back four, and this has, on a number of occasions this season, proved a major issue.

Southampton‘s Morgan Schneiderlin is one of the English top flight’s best in the deep-lying midfield role, and he has suggested in the past that he wants to move to a more high-profile club, per ITV Football:

The Frenchman has been linked with a move to join his former Saints boss, Mauricio Pochettino, at Tottenham, but according to Matt Law in the Telegraph, Spurs fear they may be beaten to the transfer by their north London rivals.

Law suggests that, should any indication appear that Schneiderlin will be allowed to leave St Mary’s, the Gunners will go all out to sign him up.

He would certainly be an ideal player for Arsenal as he has the necessary combative skill—he is terrific at disrupting attacks with strong tackling and interceptions—as well as the ability to start counter-attacks with a good range of passing.

Arsenal may also have the edge on Spurs if it does come down to a bidding war, Tottenham having been rejected in the summer in their pursuit of Schneiderlin and Arsenal more likely to be able to offer Champions League football in the long term.

 

Xherdan Shaqiri

Another potentially unsettled player looking for a move is Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri, who has been unable to secure himself first-team football under Pep Guardiola—he has started just three Bundesliga games all season, per WhoScored.com.

Recent reports suggest Arsenal are leading the race to sign the Swiss international in January with Wenger supposedly prepared to meet the £10  million price tag placed on him, per Blick (h/t Chisanga Malata in the Daily Star).

However, Bayern boss Guardiola has also recently expressed his belief that Shaqiri will stay at the Allianz Arena, per Nicholas McGee on Goal.com:

“I think they [Shaqiri and Emile Hjojberg] will stay. If they want something then they need to speak to [Bayern sporting director] Matthias Sammer.”

There certainly seems a possibility that the 23-year-old Shaqiri may look to force a move, considering his lack of first-team opportunities, and Wenger would do well to push to sign him.

The Swiss attacking midfielder starred at the World Cup and has terrific passing skills as well as excellent attacking intent which could work very well in Arsenal’s fast-paced system.

 

Nikola Vlasic

Arsenal are reportedly leading the way to sign one of the hottest young prospects in Europe, Hajduk Split’s Nikola Vlasic, in January.

According to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Anthony Chapman in the Express), Arsenal head Inter Milan in the race for the signature of a 17-year-old midfielder who has been favourably compared to compatriot Luka Modric.

Bleacher Report UK’s Aleksandar Holiga has previously waxed lyrical about Vlasic’s potential:

He has the technique AND the physique. While Vlasic’s skills with the ball and his understanding of the game look hugely promising, he is also incredibly strong for a teenager. […]

Hajduk have been using Vlasic as a midfielder, although he can play on either wing, as a second striker or as a false nine. Make no mistake, he is the real deal.

Certainly Vlasic seems like a very exciting prospect, and Wenger could no doubt mold him into a fantastic player, given his experience working with youth in his career.

Vlasic would likely not be set for first-team football right away at the Emirates but could well be a long-term Arsenal star if they can snap him up in January.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1GDcCkV
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J