Mikel Arteta has admitted the January transfer window is a busy time for Arsenal as there will be at least two acquisitions for the North London club. In hiring for new players, the Spaniard said his objective is to make a Gunners squad that lean and mean.
The priority is for the side to become compact and solid with new players coming in and the expected return of injured members of the roster.
"We might need to do one or two things if the right players become available to help us. But at the moment I am more concerned with getting the maximum out of the players available to us," Arteta was reported by Metro as saying.
The same report said Arsenal can expect the return of Hector Bellerin, Gabriele Martinelli, and Calum Chambers in the upcoming games but will likely see the departure of key players, some in accordance with the recent indications that the Gunners will reconfigure the current lineup.
Some players, however, will be departing due to controversies created in the time of Unai Emery. Former team captain Granit Xhaka has been rumored to move out in January, possibly joining Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin.
Xhaka's camp has confirmed that a deal with the German is, in fact, in the making, but Arsenal will need to give its approval on the planned transfer by the Swiss international. In any case, while Arteta has stated he is a fan of Xhaka, he will look for a replacement if the midfielder pushes through with the plan to move out.
It seemed clear that Arsenal will want a new hire to fill the spot that Xhaka will leave and possibly of another midfielder. That is if rumors will prove correct that Mesut Ozil will be sold to Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Also, the German playmaker, presently one of the most expensive players in Arsenal, will potentially exit hounded by controversies, first by his troubled relationship with Emery and his recent social media posts, which Arsenal has distanced itself with.
Arteta has likewise made clear that he wants the Gunners to reconnect with supporters of the team, whom he described as "probably the most important part of the football club."
"We need to connect the team with the fans again, I sense in the last few seasons there has been a big disconnection, and we are losing a lot of power," the Spanish boss was reported by 90Min as saying.
He added the Gunners have to realize that they are the most important club in the league, stressing, "we have to play a little bit with that arrogance, that belief. This stadium has to create fear again."
