It’s mid-January. The North London air is biting, and if you’ve been scrolling through the usual feeds, you know the vibe around the Emirates is... surprisingly calm? Usually, by now, Arsenal fans are in a full-blown meltdown over a lack of a "proper number nine" or begging for a midfielder to save the season. But as we hit January 17, 2026, the Arsenal FC club news cycle isn't dominated by panic. It’s dominated by a weirdly confident kind of patience.
Mikel Arteta has this team sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League. Six points. In 2026. If you told a Gooner three years ago that the biggest January drama would be about the color of the team's socks for an away trip to Nottingham Forest, they’d have laughed you out of the Tollington.
The Arda Guler Rumors and the "Real Madrid Repeat"
Honestly, the most interesting bit of gossip floating around right now involves Arda Guler. We’ve seen this movie before. Martin Ødegaard arrived from Madrid as a "maybe" and turned into the heartbeat of the club. Now, with Xabi Alonso having moved on from the Bernabéu, Guler is reportedly looking at the exit door.
Fabricio Romano has been hinting at Arsenal’s long-term interest for months. It’s not just a "let's buy a wonderkid" situation; it’s a strategic move. Arteta loves a player who can operate as a winger but drift into that attacking-midfield pocket. Guler fits that mold perfectly. Will it happen this winter? Probably not. Sporting director Andrea Berta—who’s been running the show since Edu’s departure—seems more focused on summer groundwork. But in the world of Arsenal, "unlikely" can turn into "here we go" pretty fast if a loan-to-buy opportunity opens up.
Injuries, Calafiori, and the Defensive Puzzle
We have to talk about the backline. It’s been a bit of a hospital ward lately. Riccardo Calafiori has been out with a muscle issue since late 2025, and Piero Hincapie—who has been a revelation—picked up a hamstring tweak against Liverpool.
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Basically, the defensive depth is being tested to its absolute limit. Arteta was cryptic in his Friday presser at Sobha Realty Training Centre, saying there "might be" a chance for some returns for the Forest game. Classic Mikel. He never gives the fantasy football managers a break.
Even with the injuries, the stats are kind of insane. Arsenal haven’t conceded three goals in a single match since December 2023. That’s over two years of defensive rigidity. It’s not just about the personnel; it’s the "organisation and desire" Arteta keeps banging on about.
Current Injury Watch:
- Piero Hincapie: Hamstring (fingers crossed for a surprise bench appearance).
- Riccardo Calafiori: Muscle (targeted for late January).
- Cristhian Mosquera: Ankle (unlikely until mid-February).
- Max Dowman: Ankle (long-term youth prospect recovery).
The Viktor Gyökeres Scrutiny
Viktor Gyökeres is currently the man under the microscope. He scored in the 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Chelsea on Wednesday, which was massive. But you know how it is—if a striker doesn't score every single game, the "is he worth it?" articles start appearing.
Arteta defended him pretty fiercely this week. He basically said that being the number nine at a top club comes with a level of scrutiny that never stops. Gyökeres has five league goals so far, matching Leandro Trossard. He’s not "flopping," but the shadow of the £250m summer spend looms large. He’s a demanding guy, apparently. Always the first in and last out. That kind of mentality usually wins over the Emirates crowd eventually.
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What’s Actually Happening with Transfers?
Let’s be real: this window is quiet. Aside from the Guler links, there’s talk about Vasilije Kostov—the "new Pedri" from Serbia. Arsenal are fighting Chelsea and Man Utd for him, but that’s a "one for the future" deal.
The biggest "outgoing" news is actually a potential "incoming." Oleksandr Zinchenko is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest. Sean Dyche (who’s doing a weirdly good job there) admitted they’ve been talking about his future. There’s no break clause in his loan, but with Arsenal’s defensive injuries, there’s been some chatter about trying to bring him back early. It’s messy. It’s awkward. It probably won't happen, but it’s keeping the forums busy.
Rumors to Watch:
- Kenan Yildiz: Juventus seem confident he’s staying, but Arsenal are lurking.
- Ben White: Rumors of Everton interest. (Personally? No way Arteta lets him go).
- Ethan Nwaneri: Needs minutes. A championship loan might be on the cards before the deadline.
The Road Ahead: Four Competitions, One Goal
Arsenal are still alive in four competitions. Let that sink in. They’re top of the league with 49 points after 21 games. They have a 3-2 lead heading into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. They’re cruising in the Champions League league phase, with a trip to Inter Milan and a game against Kairat Almaty coming up.
The Opta Supercomputer actually has Arsenal as favorites to finish top of the UCL league table. It’s a surreal time to be a fan. The squad feels "fuller" than it ever has, even with the knocks to Calafiori and Hincapie.
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Actionable Insights for the Forest Game
If you're watching the game at the City Ground this evening (5:30 PM GMT on TNT Sports), keep an eye on the kits. Arsenal requested to wear their blue away kit with grey socks because of a kit clash with Forest’s red and white. It’s a weird look, but maybe it’ll be a lucky one.
What to look for:
- The Midfield Balance: Does Jorginho start to manage the tempo, or does Arteta go full throttle with Rice and Odegaard?
- Set Pieces: Forest under Dyche are monsters at the back. Arsenal’s "Set Piece Coach" (Nicolas Jover) will have his work cut out.
- The Bench: If Hincapie or Calafiori are even on the bench, it’s a huge psychological boost for the title run.
The next few weeks will define the season. With Inter Milan on the horizon and the FA Cup fourth round coming up, the Arsenal FC club news cycle is about to get a lot louder. For now, enjoy the view from the top. It’s been a long time coming.
Stay updated on the official team sheets which usually drop an hour before kickoff. If you're looking for the latest transfer movements, keep an eye on the youth outgoings, as that's where the most movement is likely to happen before the February 1 deadline.