If you’re refreshing your feed every five minutes looking for a "Here We Go" graphic involving Arsenal today, I’ve got some news that might feel a bit like a cold shower. But honestly? It’s exactly what the Gunners need. As of January 17, 2026, the vibe around London Colney is surprisingly calm. While Manchester City is reportedly finalizing a massive deal for Marc Guehi and Liverpool is locking down their defensive depth after Conor Bradley's injury, Arsenal is playing a much more patient—and frankly, more sophisticated—game.
Mikel Arteta and the new Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, aren't just sitting on their hands. They’re basically looking at the £250 million they dropped last summer on guys like Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Eberechi Eze and saying, "Yeah, we’re good for now."
Arsenal Football Transfers News Today: The Arda Guler Waiting Game
The biggest name on everyone’s lips right now isn't someone who’s coming in tomorrow. It’s Arda Guler. The Turkish sensation at Real Madrid has hit a bit of a crossroads. With Alvaro Arbeloa taking over the reins from Xabi Alonso at the Bernabeu, Guler’s minutes have tanked.
Arsenal has been tracking him since 2024, and the word is they’ve already set a timeline for a "double move" in the summer. They aren't looking to panic-buy a creative midfielder this month because they’ve already got the depth. Between Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, and the understated brilliance of Zubimendi—who might genuinely be the signing of the season—the midfield is locked.
The plan is simple: let Guler’s situation at Madrid simmer. If he continues to ride the bench under Arbeloa, Arsenal will be right there in June with a massive offer. It’s long-term thinking over short-term dopamine hits.
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What’s Happening with the "Serbian Pedri"?
If you want a name that’s actually making waves in the scouting offices today, it’s Vasilije Kostov. He’s 17, plays for Red Star Belgrade, and scouts are literally calling him the "Serbian Pedri."
Arsenal recruitment staff have been watching him for over a year. He’s already bagged 11 goal involvements for Red Star this season. He’s a number 10, but Arteta loves that he can drop deep or drift to the right. Barcelona and Bayern Munich are sniffing around too, which usually means the price is about to skyrocket. Red Star is holding firm for January, but Arsenal is very much in the driver’s seat for a summer transition.
The Truth About the Outgoings
We need to talk about Ben White. There’s been a ton of noise about him moving to Everton because he’s fallen behind Jurrien Timber in the pecking order. Timber has been a monster this season, let’s be real. But the latest internal word from Arsenal is that they have zero intention of selling White this month. They’re six points clear at the top of the Premier League. You don’t sell a versatile, high-IQ defender like White when you’re hunting for your first title in over 20 years.
Then there’s the Ethan Nwaneri situation.
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- West Ham is desperate for him on loan.
- Bournemouth is reportedly interested.
- Arteta is torn because Nwaneri isn't getting minutes, but he's "too good" to let go to a rival without a massive safety net.
Basically, Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are the only ones who might actually walk out the door this month, and even then, it’ll only be on a straight loan. Arsenal has no interest in losing their crown jewels permanently.
Defensive Reinforcements: The Jacquet Link
While the attack looks set, the defense is where things get interesting. Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes is the name to watch. He’s 20, built like a tank, and looks like "Saliba 2.0." Chelsea is trying to hijack this one, but Arsenal has been watching him since last summer. With William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes picking up minor knocks lately, a move for Jacquet or AC Milan’s Davide Bartesaghi isn't entirely off the table if the price is right.
Bartesaghi is a fascinating one because he’s being compared to Riccardo Calafiori. He fits the "Arteta Profile"—technical, versatile, and comfortable under pressure.
Why the Fans Shouldn't Panic
I get it. Seeing your rivals spend money is stressful. But look at where Arsenal is. They’ve already overhauled the squad. They’ve brought in a specialized throw-in coach, Thomas Grønnemark, to find those "marginal gains" Arteta obsessed over. They’re scoring more from set-pieces than anyone else in Europe (24 goals and counting).
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The transfer strategy has shifted from "desperate for talent" to "selective for excellence."
Actionable Insights for the January Window:
- Don't expect a marquee signing before February 2. Unless a massive injury occurs, Arsenal is looking at 2026 as a year of refinement, not revolution.
- Watch the Arda Guler news cycle. This isn't a January story, but every minute he stays on the bench for Real Madrid makes an Arsenal summer move more likely.
- Monitor the youth loans. If Nwaneri stays, it means Arteta trusts him for the title run-in. If he goes, it’s about development.
- Keep an eye on Kenan Yildiz. The Juventus star is in a contract standoff, and Jorge Mendes has been talking to Arsenal. This is the "wildcard" deal that could happen late if Juve decides to cash in.
The focus right now is Nottingham Forest this afternoon and Inter Milan next week. The squad is deep, the chemistry is high, and the bank account is healthy. Arsenal is acting like a club that knows they’re already the best in the country.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep your eyes on the Ligue 1 market—specifically Rennes and Elche—as that’s where Berta is doing most of his scouting work for the next phase of the Arteta project.