Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Tue 30 December 2025 10:16, UK

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal are ready to add further additions to their squad in the January transfer window.

“We will be actively looking to strengthen the squad in January,” the Spaniard said on Monday, adding that “our job is to be very prepared because something can happen”.

Arsenal will play Aston Villa on Tuesday, in what will be a key early test of both teams’ title credentials.

Unai Emery‘s team have been on an incredible run of form, and beat the Gunners at the start of the month, but the trip to the Emirates Stadium will be a new test.

Arsenal remain favourites for the Premier League title, and here, Football Insider looks at three players they could sign to strengthen their grip.

Jeremy Jacquet – Stade Rennais

Calafiori was the latest defender to be injured for Arsenal when he was forced off in the warm-up before Saturday’s win over Brighton.

Defensive injuries have been absolutely rife for the Gunners, with Myles Lewis-Skelly representing the only defender not to have been ruled out at some point this season.

The centre of the back-line has been a particular issue, where key men Gabriel and William Saliba have both missed huge chunks of the campaign.

Both players have now returned, but Arteta will be wary of risking a further blow to either of them.

Arsenal registered their interest in Stade Rennais defender Jeremy Jacquet in the summer, and the 20-year-old could now be back in their sights.

The France youth international is being tracked throughout Europe and will not come cheap, but that is for good reason.

Jacquet has started all but once of Rennais’ Ligue 1 games this season, and is both technically and physically dominant over his opposition.

Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth

Arsenal hijacked Tottenham‘s move for Eberechi Eze at the 11th hour in the summer, and could they be ready to do it again?

It is well-reported that the winger is a boyhood Gunners fan, and would opt for a move to the Emirates Stadium over anywhere else, if it is on the table.

But he now looks set to join Manchester City, after the North London club ruled themselves out of the chase.

Arsenal could move for Semenyo if they can agree a departure, however, and Arteta surely would not say no to a player of the quality of the 25-year-old.

Gabriel Jesus would seem the likeliest candidate for a January exit, with both Viktor Gyokeres and the returning Kai Havertz expected to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Quinten Timber – Feyenoord

Considering how good Jurrien Timber has been since arriving at Arsenal, Arteta has likely been wondering if there is a way to clone him.

While that type of technology has not quite reached football yet, the Gunners can do the next best thing by signing his twin brother, Quinten.

Arsenal have been fortunate enough to keep Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice fit for the entirety of the season so far, but serious questions would be asked of Arteta’s team if one of them were to get injured.

Mikel Merino is often thought to be a better option up front than he is in midfield, and Christian Norgaard has largely been resigned to the bench.

Timber attracted plenty of interest in the summer and could be available on a cheap deal from Feyenoord, with his contract reportedly set to expire in the summer.