Arsenal may have ‘financial issues’ amid ‘really concerning’ transfer development – pundit
Kevin Phillips has suggested Arsenal may have “financial issues” preventing them from adding reinforcements in the winter window.
The former England striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Gunners are “really short” and emphasised the need for fresh faces in midfield and attack.
Arsenal are yet to make a January signing despite manager Mikel Arteta sanctioning the departures of five first-teamers – including Calum Chambers, who joined Aston Villa yesterday (27 January).
The north London giants had been linked with striker Dusan Vlahovic this month, but the Serbian is on the verge of completing a mega-money move to Juventus.
Phillips insisted the Gunners are “desperate for reinforcements” in midfield and attack.
He cited the perilous contract situations of Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette.
“They’re really short – especially in that midfield area,” Phillips told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“It’s amazing that we’re talking about Arsenal being short in those types of areas when you consider the size of that football club.
“Maitland-Niles going out is fine, I can see how that makes sense. But surely they need to bring in another midfielder and another striker.
“Whether it’s a financial issue, I don’t know – but Arsenal are desperate for reinforcements in those two positions.
“Lacazette is out of contract in the summer, so is Nketiah. That’s a really concerning area that they need to address.”
Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Florian Balogun, Pablo Mari, Sead Kolasinac and Chambers make up the quintet to have departed Arsenal for pastures new this month.
The Gunners sit sixth in the Premier League after 21 games.
The transfer window slams shut on Monday (31 January) at 11pm.
In other news, pundit predicts Arsenal could complete signing for ‘unbelievable’ Vlahovic alternative.