Arsenal set sights on ‘three players’ ahead of January, ‘unique market opportunities’ eyed
Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad in the winter transfer window ahead of a push for the Premier League title.
After a strong start, Arsenal are the favourites to win the Premier League, but their credentials have been tested in recent weeks.
Defeat to Aston Villa at the start of the month was a blow, and the Gunners came within minutes of dropping points at home to bottom-club Wolves.
But Saturday night saw a strong performance from Mikel Arteta‘s side, who beat Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The problem is that Arsenal lead the Premier League in injuries, and appear unable to get away from them at the moment.
Arsenal make transfer plans as three players scouted
Arsenal‘s expensive summer has likely ruled them out of making any more big-money signings this season.
The Gunners bought Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, and several others in a window that saw more than £250million leave the Emirates Stadium.
| Arsenal arrivals – 2025-26 | Joined from |
| Viktor Gyokeres | Sporting CP |
| Eberechi Eze | Crystal Palace |
| Kepa Arrizabalaga | Chelsea |
| Christian Norgaard | Brentford |
| Piero Hincapie | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Noni Madueke | Chelsea |
| Cristhan Mosquera | Valencia |
| Martin Zubimendi | Real Sociedad |
But Sky Sports reported on Monday that, as Arteta has previously admitted, Arsenal will keep their eyes open for unique market opportunities, with three players in particular admired.
Football Insider revealed in November that Arsenal are keeping tabs on Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, with the Premier League club having sent scouts to watch him.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Jean-Matteo Bahoya, as well, with Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly looking for a fee in excess of £61m.
Sky Sports also report that the Gunners are looking at AC Milan full-back Davide Bartesaghi, who emerged last season.
Who are the players Arsenal are targeting?
Mendoza, 20, made his breakthrough with Elche in La Liga 2 last season, and has featured heavily since the club’s promotion to the top flight.
The short midfielder shares some similarities with Martin Zubimendi in the sense that he is deceivingly feisty when challenging for the ball, but his main strengths lie in his technical ability.
Press-avoidant and more than capable of taking on his man, Mendoza has quickly risen among the most exciting young midfielders in La Liga.
Bartesaghi, 19, has quickly made a name for himself at AC Milan, providing a dominant and technically superb presence at left-back.
His tall frame and great ability on the ball would make him a natural fit for Arsenal, but the Italian giants would be unlikely to let him go easily.
The defender scored his first goals for the club against Sassuolo this month, netting an unlikely brace with two brilliant finishes.
Bahoya, 20, the only attacker from the three, has netted three times across 22 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt this season.
The winger shares some stylistic similarities with Michael Olise – a speedy and efficient dribbler, not afraid of taking a shot.
Whether Arsenal would pay the fee required to take him from Eintracht Frankfurt, however, remains to be seen.