Arsenal FC manager Unai Emery has previously said that the club are in the market for a new winger and centre-back this January transfer window. On Thursday, he made it known that such upgrades will only happen via the loan method, as they will not be buying any new players permanently this winter window.
He also gave an update on the pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez, one of the club’s top targets this window, and a former player under Unai Emery at Sevilla.
“We cannot sign anyone permanently. Only loan players this January,” Emery said ahead of the London derby at West Ham United on Saturday.
“The club is working. The club is telling me each moment that different situations can happen for recruitment, but at the moment I don’t have news on that.”
In regards to Suarez, Emery once again praised the central midfielder, but didn’t say anything that implied a deal was close to being done. He also reiterated that the only way Suarez could be acquired is through a loan move.
“I don’t know now his situation but I know the club is working for the possibility players who can help us with this condition (loan) fast, with a big performance like we need now. I know this player and he is a very good player,” Emery added.
From what Unai Emery has said, it appears that Arsenal are not interested in loosening the purse strings this winter window; having just spent £70 million on acquiring new players in the summer.
Suarez is reportedly free to leave the Catalan club if he so wishes, and available for a transfer fee of £18 million, but it remains to be seen or not the transaction will actually materialize.
Arsenal have endured an injury crisis this season, but they still have overall depth issues and require reinforcements at the back with centre half Rob Holding out long term. The north London side needs to significantly improve if they are to finish in the top four. However, this week did see six of their injured players return to training so that provides a significant boost to their prospects.
Arsenal FC at West Ham United FYIs
Kickoff/TV: Saturday, January 12, 12:30 PM local, London Stadium, BT Sport
Injury Report for both sides: go to this link
Arsenal Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Google Result Probability: Arsenal FC Win 46%, Draw 26%, West Ham United win 28%
Odds via Odds Checker: West Ham United 28/11, Draw 3/1, Arsenal FC 11/10
Prediction: West Ham 2, Arsenal 2
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.