FIVE players Arsenal should consider signing in January

Arsenal have made a great start to the season, and after seven games The Gunners sit top of the league ahead of Liverpool on goal difference. They have been playing some fantastic, flowing football and their early season success has to be partly contributed to their last minute record signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.

In addition Olivier Giroud has found goal scoring form and Aaron Ramsey is playing the best football of his career. The team are visually confident in their play and the prospect of the first silverware since 2005 is realistic. The Express reported yesterday that Arsene Wenger is ready to spend big again in the January transfer window, and I believe it is necessary to strengthen the squad further to keep their title charge alive.

So here are Touchline Talk’s FIVE players Arsenal should consider signing in January.....


Javier Hernandez
Despite Olivier Giroud starting the season in good goal scoring form, Arsenal still need another striker to help with the strain of a long season.
Lukas Podolski is injured, leaving Arsene Wenger with the inexperienced Yaya Sanago, the forgotten Park Chu-Young, and in my opinion, the not good enough Nicklas Bendtner.
Javier Hernandez is a proven goalscorer, and with 51 goals in 121 appearances for Manchester United the Mexican would provide an excellent attacking option for The Gunners.
The 25-year old has started just one league match this season, and has announced his desire for more first team football, as the Daily Mail reported earlier this week.
A price tag of £15 million is very reasonable for a top class striker, but would Manchester United sell him to a Premier League rival?


Lars Bender
There was a lot of talk about Arsenal’s interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s defensive midfielder Lars Bender in the summer, and it was rumoured that they had an £18.5 million bid rejected.
In the end, Wenger resigned Mathieu Flamini from AC Milan, and the midfielder has done a great job for the Gunners so far.
However, he is 29 years-old now and getting no younger.
Bender on the other hand is only 24 and is already renowned for his sensational work rate and incredible tackling ability – He picked up just one yellow card last season despite making 35 starts in central midfield.
He would provide a steely cover for the back four, and is also capable of getting forward and setting up attacking moves.
£18.5 million is not a lot of money these days for such a well rounded midfielder who would slot effortlessly into the Arsenal team and I believe Wenger would do well to bid again in January.


Jackson Martinez
Here is a man who I have already tipped to be signed for Arsenal, and in his current goalscoring form, I just couldn’t leave him off this list.
We’ve already identified that Arsenal need another striker to partner or cover for Giroud, and Jackson Martinez would be ideal.
He’s immensely strong, fast and powerful and absolutely prolific in front of goal.
The Colombian scored 34 goals in 43 games for Porto last season and has started this season where he left off, scoring seven goals in the first seven games.
The 27-year-old has a release clause of £35 million in his contract and with Wenger prepared to spend big, the Colombian powerhouse could realistically provide the quality attacking option that Arsenal require.


Bruno Martins Indi
Bruno Martins Indi is a young, powerful and versatile defender who can play a central role or out on the left.
At only 21 years of age, he could be developed further at the club to eventually replace the aging Per Mertesacker  as well as being used as cover for the current back four.
Here is a young player that was developed through Feyenoord’s youth system and has already represented the Netherlands, and will surely become a World Class player later in his career.
Valued at around £7million, the youngster would be a bargain and future star defender for Arsenal.
His inclusion on this list is to demonstrate that not all good signings have to be multi million record breaking deals for global superstars.


Micah Richards
Arsenal ‘s current right back Bacary Sagna is yet to sign a new contract with the club, with less than a year to run on his current deal.
If he decides to leave The Emirates, then Carl Jenkison is the only cover they have in the right back position.
25-year-old Micah Richards could be a solid and relatively cheap replacement, or cover player if he Sagna decides to stay.
Richards has the ability to play in the centre of defence as well as right back and would be a reliable defender to help shore up the backline.
He is fast, strong and is currently not getting the desired playing time at Manchester City given Pablo Zabaleta’s form.
This could lead to a cheap deal if City are prepared to let him go.