Three players Arsenal should offload in the January window
Arsenal and manager Unai Emery are chasing after a top-four spot despite the former PSG manager only being a mere six months into his tenure with the Gunners. However, with the January window up and running, it must be noted that the club has suffered from injury issues with a myriad of stars out for a long time.
While Laurent Koscielny has returned, the club still need another centre-back and someone to replace Aaron Ramsey, with the midfielder’s contract expiring.
But to fight alongside the big boys of the top-four, Arsenal need to bring in reinforcements during the January transfer window. However, to provide a decent transfer budget, first, they will have to let go of a few stars willingly.
#3 Carl Jenkinson
An Arsenal faithful since he was a young boy, the right-back got his dream gig when he signed for the Gunners. However things haven’t worked out for the promising Englishman and now at 26, it looks like his time at the club may be over. A game-changing ACL tear in 2016 has permanently adjusted his career, robbing the promising Englishman of his speed.
While he still remains rapid enough to play as a right back, his performances haven’t reached the same levels before his injuries. It’s never good watching a footballer struggle to make the bench to do what they love so much. For Jenkinson, time is still on his side and he may find a move to another Premier League side in the January window.
#2 Mohamed Elneny
The Egyptian arrived as a back-up to then first-choice Francis Coquelin. With the Frenchman’s departure, things haven’t changed for the 26-year-old defensive midfielder. Now playing second fiddle to Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi, Elneny has struggled to make an impact under Unai Emery.
With just five appearances to his name this season, the Egyptian needs to find a way out, especially in the coming months. Hence, selling the 26-year-old would be a great way to free up some funds.
Not only is a move beneficial for both the club and the player, but it will also allow youngsters to make their mark on the team sheet. The likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Joe Willock and even Guendouzi himself should get more chances.
#1 Emiliano Martinez
The 26-year-old was brought in under Arsene Wenger during the legendary manager’s tenure with the club. A youth team star, Martinez did well with the U21s and U23s but has struggled to make an impact with the first team. He also served a few loan spells here and there with Wolves and Getafe, doing relatively well during his time there.
However, despite that, he’s still remained the Gunners’ third choice man and now, it looks like his time is up. The 26-year-old has barely made 2 appearances all season, one of which came in the Europa League. With Arsenal out of the EFL cup and Petr Cech effectively demoted to a backup keeper role, the former Chelsea man will be the London outfit’s main cup keeper.
This further adds to Martinez’s problems and with the January here, it could mean a chance at a permanent move.
