Arsenal: Mikel Arteta Confirms January Transfer Plans

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal’s plans for the January transfer window.

January is well underway and movements are being tracked at Arsenal, with players leaving as well as those rumoured to be in their way to north London.

Two defenders have already bid temporary farewells to the club in the form of Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba, the pair securing six-month loan deals to Schalke 04 and OGC Nice respectively.

The next to make way was long-serving Matt Macey, who secured a permanent move to Hibernian this winter in search of first team football. The gigantic goalkeeper was the club’s third choice for the 2020/21 season and his departure has now prompted Mikel Arteta to act in the transfer market.

Speaking on the official Arsenal website, the Spanish boss confirmed that an evaluation of the goalkeeping department is taking place with a view to bringing in reinforcements this window.

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"“We are assessing the situation with the three positions on the goalkeeping area and we will find a different solution, probably in this window,” he said."

Bernd Leno is the undisputed first choice stopper, with the options behind him either vastly inexperienced or not deemed at an acceptable level to assume the backup slot.

Currently there are two candidates to fill up the third spot, Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo. Both players have impressed in the youth setups, with the former already making the bench for Arsenal during their Europa League group matches this season.

Hein is also an Estonian international, despite being only 18 years old, and his highly rated at the club. Importantly, in the summer he will be classed as homegrown, which is an important factor given the departure of Englishman Macey.

Also falling under the homegrown tag is Okonkwo, a London-born 19-year-old who made his breakthrough in the 2018/19 season – some solid outings at Under-18 and Under-23 level have seen the keeper make appearances at England youth level. As for Runar Alex Runarsson, his future is now up for debate, as a temporary move away has been mooted.