Arsenal come into the January transfer window in a completely different place to this time last year.
The 2025 winter window saw no one signed by the Gunners, although there were massive protests among supporters for the acquisition of a new striker.
There was always a feeling that an elite number 9 would take Mikel Arteta’s project to the next level, but despite Gabriel Jesus’ ACL injury last winter, they opted not to find a replacement.
Summer finally arrived and Andrea Berta delivered Viktor Gyokeres. The former Sporting striker appeared as one of the best center forwards in Europe during his time in the Portuguese capital, notably scoring 54 goals in 52 games last season.
He hasn’t shown the same ruthless streak this season. The Swede has not scored a non-penalty goal since finding the net against Burnley in November.
Despite this, Arsenal are top of the Premier League and Champions League. Those two things, combined with last summer’s lavish spending, mean they’ll likely be keeping their powder dry this month.
Still, there could be some excitement on the transfer front at some point.
Arsenal enter race to sign Champions League winner
The January transfer window hasn’t been filled with rumors of arrivals at the Emirates Stadium, but unsurprisingly it appears they will look to further strengthen their defense in 2026.
Rennes prodigy Jeremy Jacquet, who is cut from the same cloth as William Saliba, is on their radar, as is Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
The centre-back almost joined Liverpool on deadline day last summer, but the Eagles pulled the plug late in the day. Since then, title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal have emerged as contenders for his signature.
On offense, there probably isn’t much that can be done, but an elite left winger remains a missing piece of the puzzle.
Well, according to TEAMtalk, one of the big players on their roster this year is PSG superstar Bradley Barcola.
They report that Barcola is a target for Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City and they have all inquired about the Frenchman’s availability.
It further states that these four English clubs have “all been contacted” by PSG, with the Premier League sides apparently “in regular contact” over his signing.
Sources have told TEAMtalk that Barcola will not be available this winter but a summer move away from Paris could be considered.
Why Barcola would be such a good signing for Arsenal
Come back to summer. Martin Zubimendi and Gyokeres have just joined us, there is huge excitement for the season.
But wait, what is that? A new deal for Leandro Trossard?
The Belgian had only scored ten goals in 2024/25 and while Arsenal were looking for a new winger, someone like Rodrygo, the club decided to hand him a new contract.
Although this did not extend his tenure in London, it did get him a good pay rise. It’s a decision that has sparked a lot of debate but is more than justified.
He is now arguably in the form of his career at Arsenal, scoring seven goals and assisting six goals this season. That being said, there is a feeling that the Gunners need an elite winger, someone who can change a game and be a long-term replacement for an aging Trossard.
Enter Mr Barcola, Champions League winner and, in the words of Como Scout Ben Mattinson, “one of the best left wingers in Europe”. Why was it presented as such? Well, even though the 23-year-old has only scored five goals and provided four assists so far this season, he was in fine form last season.
The PSG sensation has scored 21 times, including three during their triumphant Champions League campaign. He also assisted 21 goals. He is a dynamic striker who could offer a lot to this Arsenal team.
He’s a game-changer and although the Gunners have made plenty of new additions during Berta’s first summer in charge of recruitment, it has to be suggested that Barcola could be the most impactful arrival since Declan Rice walked into the building.
Rice turned down advances from Manchester City to sign for Arsenal in the summer of 2023 and he hasn’t looked back.
The former West Ham captain has transformed himself into a box-to-box machine. He can score goals, he can assist and he is one of the best set-piece takers in the country. As Jamie Redknapp said in an interview with the midfielder this week, he is now in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
Rice took Arsenal to the next level. He is unbeatable, there is no one like him on the team. If Barcola joined him, you could say the same thing.
|
Declan Rice G/A by season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Goals |
Aids |
|
2020/21 |
2 |
1 |
|
2021/22 |
5 |
4 |
|
2022/23 |
5 |
4 |
|
2023/24 |
7 |
9 |
|
2024/25 |
9 |
10 |
|
Statistics via Sofascore. |
||
While Bukayo Saka has the right wing locked down, the left side of the attack has looked open for several years now. This is why fans were begging the club to sign a straight left winger over the summer.
Barcola can play on either wing but the young striker did most of his work on the left last season. From that role, he had 18 and assisted on 15. He is truly elite.
While some may question the quality of Ligue 1, the Frenchman’s numbers at the bottom are better than Martinelli and Trossard ever managed in a single season.
As a reminder, the Belgian’s best campaign in front of goal saw him score 17. Martinelli’s best saw him find the net on 15 occasions in 2022/23.
Like Rice, this has the potential to be a transformational signing, one that will get Europe noticed, a signing that will raise the ceiling of this Arsenal team, rather than just the floor.
Defenders beware if Barcola is indeed heading to north London in 2026.
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Viktor Gyokeres has been a problem for Arsenal this season.
