Sol Campbell has made a prediction over who Arsenal could check in the January transfer window as they proceed pushing for the top-flight title.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed the Gunners are ‘prepared’ to do business next month if there may be an choice to ‘improve’ the present squad.
The north London side, top of the Premier League table after 15 games, are coping with quite a lot of key injuries ahead of the busy winter period.
Arsenal’s first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes missed the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday and Campbell believes his former side may look to usher in a brand new defender within the January window.
If Arsenal do resolve to recruit a centre-back, Campbell believes it is going to either be an ‘older’ player on a six-month contract or a short-term loan deal.
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‘Who knows? Perhaps an older centre-half who wants a six-month contract,’ Campbell told Paddy Power when quizzed about Arsenal’s January plans.
‘Something might occur on the back-end of January, or a loan that is sensible. Keep your options open.’
Campbell added: ‘You’ll be able to’t afford each of them (Saliba and Gabriel) out, you wish not less than one fit and playing now.
‘The opposite centre-backs are all top players, but they’re not Saliba and Gabriel.
‘Arsenal can lose two players elsewhere on the pitch but in defence, they miss Saliba and Gabriel’s experience, knowledge and funky heads for the large moments.’
It is known that Saliba could make his return from injury against Wolves on Saturday.
But Gabriel shouldn’t be expected to make a comeback until late December, or January, on the earliest.
Campbell says Villa are in title race with Arsenal
Meanwhile, Campbell is now convinced that Villa have to be regarded as Premier League title challengers after their win over Arsenal last outing.
Unai Emery’s side are currently third within the table, three points behind the Gunners.
‘Aston Villa have the manager to do it, of course,’ Campbell said. ‘Unai Emery has won multiple things and has a team that’s dynamic and awkward to play against – hungry, workmanlike and resilient.
‘Yeah, they’re in there. Emery is a superb manager and scoring within the last minute would have been a giant blow to Arsenal, especially with Manchester City winning too.
‘Sometimes while you’re 5 or 6 points ahead, you might have to be in your toes and the Premier League is relentless. Saturday would have woken Arsenal up. I believe a giant lead at the highest of the table dulls the senses anyway.’
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