Mikel Arteta and Edu could be busy in January despite Arsenal’s strong start.
Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Fabio Vieira helped the club spend £120m on five new players this summer. However, failed pursuits of a central midfielder and winger could lead to more activity.
Douglas Luiz and Danilo remain possible winter signings, according to football.london. Mykhaylo Mudryk of Shakhtar Donetsk is another long-term target. He was considered before Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny got injured, but Arsenal will face competition for him.
Arteta has previously explained why Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder Jesper Lindstrom could be exactly what Arsenal needs despite looking well-equipped in that position.
Arteta said Arsenal signed Vieira because of his versatility. “We wanted frontline and attacking midfielders who could play three positions,” said the Spaniard.
“When I saw him, he had the qualities we wanted. I was convinced he could help us reach the next level and had the right personality for our club.”
Lindstrom has played in eight other positions besides No. 10 during his career. Wings, center forward, central midfield, and defensive midfield. Arteta and Edu also consider age, quality, and attitude when identifying targets. Zinchenko and Vieira are recent examples.
Lindstrom seems to fit the bill, and his performance in Germany has piqued interest. Arsenal are ‘keeping tabs’ on the 22-year-old, according to Bild via Get German Football News, and could sign him in January. A bid of just under €20 million (£17m) has reportedly been made to his representatives.
The Dane joined from Brondby last year, where he scored 15 goals and had 15 assists. 21 goals and assists in his final season helped them win the Danish Superliga. Lindstrom was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Season despite a slow start at Leverkusen. He had five goals and five assists in 29 league appearances and four more in the Europa League, which Leverkusen won.
Lindstrom has scored three goals in ten games despite Leverkusen’s poor form. At £17million, it could provide Arteta’s squad with depth.
