Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Unai Emery planning January clear out?

The Unai Emery transformation has begun at Arsenal. His work is not done, but we see enough to sense where it is going. Could January additions disrupt team chemistry?

Rumors highlight a club’s needs. “Arsenal need a center back” has been the mantra for so long that the Gunners are now linked to every high-profile center back.

Rumors pass the time. An often-cited article, using no quotes and no anonymous sources, links out-of-favor Manchester United center back Eric Bailly and the Emirates. It’s football transfer rumors 101: Fake News.

There are numerous articles referencing clear-the-air talks between the center back and his manager on September 5th. The reporting ended there. His next Premier League appearance came in the final moments of stoppage time on the 15th. Two days later, a media barrage.

Rumors seldom tell the story. Bailly only serves Arsenal by remaining his current manager’s problem.

Rumors also generate themselves.

One sprouting legs involves Everton making a £50 million Ramsey splash. In five days this one grew from a casual remark of £150k per week, to Everton already drawing up the offer … if they get the chance this summer.

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The same goes for Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek. With his rumored request for a January loan move out in the open, stories from last August about a Ramsey swap are again making the rounds.

The key issue here, either way, is that the parent club are on record stating they have no intentions to sell. But, so far as rumors go, we’ve all heard that one before.

A question not being asked is this: could January additions disrupt team chemistry?

For years, I was a part of the “Arsenal need a center back” narrative. I believe that narrative no longer applies. The reason is simply: Unai Emery. The same core group of players heavily relied on by the old regime look like a new team.

The Unai Emery transformation has begun at the Emirates. His work is not done, but we see enough to sense where it is going. But the media have yet to catch on, so these transfer rumors are still going to focus on “historical” needs.

The Arsenal manager is estimated to have a £40 million transfer purse made available. This summer. The rumors will keep coming. But the reality is looking clear: the word “summer” keeps appearing for a reason.

How’s this one? Rumors are suggesting the Gunners will clean house in January in hopes of being active in the summer transfer window.

Let’s hope it all happens early.