3 Arsenal players who enter the January transfer window on thin ice

Arsenal probably won't be too active in the January transfer window. If they are, it is most likely going to be players leaving the club.

For the first time in what feels like a lifetime, Arsenal fans can feel content with their squad. The players at Mikel Arteta's immediate disposal are world-class, but underneath them, there are players worthy of making minutes.

Such is the nature of having a squad inflated with world-class talent that there are an increasing number of players who are growing surplus to requirements, at least for now.

Here are some of the Arsenal players who might be gearing more towards leaving in January...

3 Arsenal players walk a thin tightrope into the January transfer window

Tommy Setford

David Raya is one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now, and Mikel Arteta has made it pretty clear that Kepa Arrizabalaga is his preferred backup option.

This leaves little to no room for Tommy Setford to make any appearances for the Gunners. He is only 19 years old, so he doesn't expect to be anywhere near the starting lineup anytime soon, but even in cup games, there is no considering him.

Truth be told, Tommy Setford would benefit from a loan move. He is a young, exciting goalkeeper with a bright future ahead of him. If he can get some minutes under his belt in a lower league, Arsenal can properly assess where they see him in the squad depth charts.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

The defense is a weird one to analyze. Essentially, any Arsenal defender can make the cut and be good enough. However, out wide, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have really made those positions their own.

Calafiori is one of the best defenders in the world right now, and it is to Myles Lewis-Skelly's detriment. The Hale End graduate broke onto the scene last year, but he heads into 2026 without a shot of making the starting lineup.

For a player who headed into this season hoping to make the plane to the World cup come the end of it, his chances are slim. Little is reported on this, but it would do him the world of good to go out on loan. It's not like he can impress Thomas Tuchel at Arsenal with no minutes.

Ethan Nwaneri

Ethan Nwaneri recently revealed that he does not want to go out on loan, and instead, he is confident that he can make the Arsenal starting lineup. Mikel Arteta would beg to differ.

Ethan Nwaneri is obviously an incredibly exciting young player, and he seems to have the entire world at his feet. However, he does not match up to the starters that Arsenal have available to them right now.

A key part of Arsenal's future, it really would do Ethan Nwaneri the world of good to go out on loan.

It's understandable why he's hesitant to jump ship, through fear of losing his place in the Arsenal team. However, it's pretty clear where Mikel Arteta stands on the matter: without Ethan Nwaneri, there is no Arsenal future. He just... can't be part of the present.