3 reasons Arsenal might not sign a midfielder in January

2. Youri Tielemans & Bruno Guimaraes Aren’t Available in January

Arsenal have been on the pursuit of Arthur this window, but does anyone truly believe he was a long-term target for the club? It was unlikely anyway, and the proposed deal being just a loan move backs up that thought.

If there was someone to come in during the January window the preference would be for them to be summer targets who were fast-tracked. Arthur does not fit that bill.

There are those who do, and both offer more enticing propositions.

Bruno Guimaraes is not only a fans’ favourite pick, but someone Arsenal have been tracking for quite some time. There were links last summer as well as more rumours this winter, with Edu also having a close relationship with countryman Juninho, who is sporting director at Lyon. However, it was considered too difficult of a move to pull off this window, as well as being expensive, and the summer looks set to be when the midfielder does eventually move on.

It’s a similar scenario with Youri Tielemans at Leicester. Arsenal held talks with his agent at London Colney over a potential move, and with the Belgian having just 12 months left on his deal by the end of the season, should Arsenal secure Champions League football by then they will be an enticing option for the 24-year-old.

Arteta is a huge fan of both players – there will definitely be others on the list – and with neither being available this month, he might be keen to hold on.

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