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5 players Arsenal should try to sign before the end of January

By Thomas Wheaton

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Arsene Wenger the Arsenal Manager before the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Arsene Wenger the Arsenal Manager before the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /
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The January window offers Arsenal a chance to bolster their squad for the second half of the season. Here are five players they should consider signing.

Arsenal are currently in sixth place in the Premier league, eight points out of the top four. Their struggles this season have been very apparent, and they seem to never be able to fully click. Part of the problem could be the potential departures of both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, whose contracts expire in the summer.

Despite the future of these two hanging in the balance, several players on the roster have been impressive. Summer signing Alexandre Lacazette has been a bright spot, recording eight goals and four assists in the Premier League. In addition, Shkodran Mustafi and Jack Wilshere have also had a solid first half of the season.

Aside from that, however, the season has been fairly disappointing as a whole. They’re in the Europa League, not the Champions League, and outside of the top four. Granit Xhaka has made too many costly mistakes, Theo Walcott seems uninterested every time he’s on the pitch (and now looks like he’ll be leaving for Everton), and Danny Welbeck continues to underperform.

Arsenal need to solve some of these problems moving forward to earn themselves a berth in the Champions League next season. With little to no chance of winning any silverware, especially after being bounced from the FA Cup, the Gunners need to set their sights on the future. Here are five players that could come in and immediately improve the squad.

MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 02: Jose Maria Gimenez de Vargas of Atletico de Madrid gestures during the La Liga 2017-18 match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Sociedad at Wanda Metropolitano on December 02 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 02: Jose Maria Gimenez de Vargas of Atletico de Madrid gestures during the La Liga 2017-18 match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Sociedad at Wanda Metropolitano on December 02 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Jose Gimenez

Arsenal have been lacking in defense, giving up 30 goals in 23 matches so far this season. With Laurent Koscielny getting old (he’s 32 now) and Mustafi being injury prone, Arsenal need some new defenders. Jose Gimenez is being pushed out of Atletico Madrid and could be looking for a new home soon as his contract is set to expire.

Gimenez is still very young at 22 years old and could be a long-term option to pair with Rob Holding. Depending on the rotation, he could slot in immediately as well. He’s a better central defender than Nacho Monreal and that would allow Monreal to slot over to left-back. After signing Sead Kolasinac in the summer, Wenger has since moved on to Ainsley Maitland-Niles to man the left side of the defense. The 20-year-old has done a decent job, but it’s hard to see his long-term future in the position. Signing Gimenez would kill two birds with one stone.

Gimenez will have multiple offers in the summer, so Arsenal should pull the trigger now. Everyone knows that they have money; they just haven’t spent it on anything. If Arsenal want to boost their squad now and in the future, Gimenez is a valuable asset to acquire. He’s tough, not injury prone, and dreams of playing in the Premier League. The Uruguayan defender is a perfect fit for the Arsenal back line, and has the ability to play in a back three. Gimenez would dramatically help Arsenal’s makeshift defense.

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