Arsenal Transfer Shake-Up: 130-Goal Striker In, Nwaneri U-Turn, £60M Wonderkid Signs
Arsenal’s January transfer window in 2026 unfolded with limited activity, primarily focused on player departures. Mikel Arteta, the Gunners’ manager, had a quiet winter following a significant summer investment that left the squad heavily equipped. The key transfers included Ethan Nwaneri’s loan to Marseille and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s permanent move to Ajax.
Prolific Striker In Contention
Despite Arsenal’s success this season, a notable gap exists in their goal-scoring strategy. The team has been overly reliant on set pieces, which could be detrimental against certain opponents. In search of a reliable scorer, Arsenal may have turned to Julian Alvarez, a prolific forward who recently moved from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid for over £80 million.
- Julian Alvarez: 130 career goals
- Atletico Madrid: 40 goals in 88 appearances
- Age: 26 years
Alvarez’s scoring ability contrasts with current striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has yet to replicate his previous success at Sporting CP. Integrating Alvarez into Arsenal’s system could enhance their offensive output significantly.
Nwaneri’s Departure Raises Questions
The decision to loan 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri to Marseille has attracted mixed reactions from fans. Nwaneri made his Ligue 1 debut by scoring against Lens, prompting concerns that Arsenal may have underestimated his potential impact. With limited playing time at Arsenal, it was understandable for Nwaneri to seek more minutes.
Future Planning with Ayyoub Bouaddi
As Arsenal aims for ongoing success, building depth is crucial. Attention has turned to Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old midfielder for Lille, who is being considered as a long-term alternative to Declan Rice. Bouaddi has already made 80 senior appearances, outpacing Rice’s early career trajectory.
- Projected Transfer Fee: £60 million
- Senior Appearances: 80 by age 18
Assessing the fee similar to other recent transfers involving Lille indicates the investment could be worthwhile for Arsenal. The Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad while managing player futures, especially as they pursue multiple titles this season.
