Arsene Wenger claims Arsenal are expected to complete their first signing of the January transfer window “within 10 days.”
The Gunners are without the services of three key midfielders as Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere are out of action with injuries. In addition to this, Danny Welbeck is yet to feature for the north London club this season as the former Manchester United man is sidelined with a long-term knee injury.
Despite these injuries, the Emirates club are on top of the Premier League table with 42 points, two points ahead of second place Leicester City after 20 matches. Wenger has admitted that he will bring in maximum of two players in the mid-season, only if they can improve the squad.
“I don’t give much away [about transfers] because I don’t know [what’s going on],” Wenger said, as quoted by Talksport. “I want to talk about them and hopefully we are capable of doing something in the next 10 days.”
“It’s more about quality than quantity because our players will not stay out injured forever. Francis Coquelin is starting to run, Santi Cazorla will be back in mid-February, and Mikel Arteta is back now so, hopefully, if we can add one and, if needed, two maximum.
“It’s not a dream. Nobody knocks at your door at Christmas and says ‘I have a fantastic player to sell to Arsenal.’ You have to be realistic.’”
FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny is a target for Arsenal and he is reportedly set to become their first January signing after completing his medical in Paris. The Egyptian international is a defensive minded player and his addition will give Wenger more options in midfield.
Wenger has been fielding Mathieu Flamini in the defensive midfield role and the return of club captain Mikel Arteta will only be a boost for the Frenchman. Elneny could challenge Flamini for the place in the starting lineup, at least until Coquelin and Cazorla are fully fit.
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