Arsenal decide on number one January transfer target as Arteta narrows options

Mikel Arteta is eyeing a midfielder in the January window - and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz is the No1 long term target.

‌Gunners boss Arteta wants to bolster his squad to strengthen the club’s title challenge after a string of injuries to key players.‌ It means Arsenal may now prioritise a midfielder over a striker in the next transfer window to ensure they can push Manchester City all the way this season.

‌They tried to sign Luiz in the summer of 2022 when the Brazil midfielder was keen to move to the Emirates but Villa refused to sell and eventually tied him down to a new deal.‌ But Arsenal are likely to test Villa’s resolve again even if Unai Emery ’s men seem highly unlikely to be willing to sell such a key player in January.

‌Villa would also want a sky high transfer fee for Luiz even if they did entertain the possibility of the 25-year-old leaving.‌ Arsenal are scouring the market for reinforcements to strengthen the squad which may see them move into the loan market for a midfielder.

‌Arteta is keen on Brentford’s Ivan Toney but may now even put that on the back burner until next summer because of the midfield issue.‌ It has been caused by Thomas Partey suffering a thigh injury which will rule him out until the end of the year at least.

‌Partey is hoping to recover in time for the Africa Cup of Nations which begins in January and if he plays for Ghana that would rule him out for an even longer period.‌ Martin Odegaard has missed recent games after a concussion scare and it has left Arsenal short in the midfield department.

‌They do also want a striker with Toney their No1 target but Brentford want at least £60m and the figure could move closer to £100m if there is a bidding war.‌ Arsenal would have to make a significant