The January window is always a bit of a fever dream for Arsenal fans. One minute we're supposedly breaking the bank for a world-class striker, and the next, Mikel Arteta is doing his usual press conference dance about "internal solutions" and "squad depth." It’s basically a rite of passage at this point.
Right now, as we sit in mid-January 2026, the noise is louder than ever. Arsenal are sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League, and everyone—from the pundits to the guy at the pub—has an opinion on who needs to walk through the doors at London Colney to seal the deal. But here’s the thing: most of the rumors you're seeing on social media are, honestly, just noise.
The Truth About the "New Pedri" and Youth Gazumping
You’ve probably seen the name Vasilije Kostov popping up lately. He’s the 17-year-old Red Star Belgrade kid they’re calling the "Serbian Pedri." The rumors are swirling that Arsenal are leading the hunt, but don’t buy your jersey just yet. While it’s true that Arsenal’s scouts are practically living in Belgrade right now, the competition is fierce. Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also sniffing around that £17 million price tag.
It’s classic Edu—well, now Andrea Berta—strategy. They want to snag the next big thing before the price hits £80 million. But a 17-year-old isn't going to be the one to hold off a charging Manchester City in May. He’s a "for the future" play.
Then there’s the Jeremy Jacquet situation. This one is getting messy. Arsenal have been tracking the Rennes defender for a while, but Chelsea are reportedly trying to hijack the deal for their new boss, Liam Rosenior. Honestly, it feels like every time Arsenal likes a French defender, Chelsea decides they need him too. Just look at the Saliba-esque profile. If Arsenal don't move fast, this might be another "one that got away" story.
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Why the Viktor Gyökeres "Struggle" Changes Everything
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Viktor Gyökeres.
Last summer’s marquee signing hasn't exactly been the goal-machine everyone expected. Eight goals in 25 matches isn't terrible, but when you're chasing a title, you want more than one non-penalty goal in 15 Premier League appearances. This slump is exactly why the Julian Alvarez rumors have come back from the dead.
Word is that Arsenal are looking at Alvarez again, despite his hefty price tag at Atletico Madrid. Is it likely in January? Kinda doubtful. But it shows where Arteta's head is at. He’s not satisfied. Even with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz back to full fitness, there’s a sense that the "killer instinct" is still missing.
The Midfield Maze: Zubimendi, Guler, and the Turkish Connection
If you’ve been following Arsenal soccer transfer rumors for more than five minutes, you’ve heard the name Martin Zubimendi. He’s the white whale. Every window, we hear he’s coming, and every window, he stays in San Sebastian eating pintxos.
But there’s a new Turkish flavor to the rumors this time around. Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz.
- Arda Guler: He’s struggling for minutes at Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso. Arsenal have a "Real Madrid repeat" plan—basically trying to do exactly what they did with Martin Ødegaard. It’s a smart move. Low risk, high reward.
- Kenan Yildiz: Juventus are playing hardball. Reports say he’s "ready to sign" a new deal, but his agent, Jorge Mendes, is definitely talking to Premier League clubs. Arsenal are on that list. He’d cost a fortune (we're talking £80m+), so this feels more like a summer project than a January reality.
And don't forget Breno Bidon. The 20-year-old from Corinthians is the latest Brazilian gem on the radar. Arsenal have already held early talks. It's the "Gabriel Martinelli route" all over again.
The Outgoing Door: Zinchenko and the Loan Headache
It’s not just about who’s coming in. The squad needs a trim.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is in a weird spot. He’s currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, but Sean Dyche—who took over from Ange Postecoglou there—doesn’t seem to fancy him. There’s talk of a recall, but there’s no official break clause in the deal. It’s a mess. If he comes back, Arsenal have to find him a new home immediately because the wage bill is already tight after the £250 million summer spend.
Then you have the youngsters. Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are both being linked with loans. They need minutes. Arteta loves them, but in a title race, he's leaning on the veterans.
Injury Updates That Dictate the Market
Transfers don't happen in a vacuum. They happen because someone’s hamstring snapped.
Right now, Arsenal’s defense is looking a bit thin. Piero Hincapie is out with a groin issue, and Cristhian Mosquera is sidelined with an ankle injury. Riccardo Calafiori is also a doubt for the upcoming Forest game.
This is why you see rumors about Davide Bartesaghi from AC Milan. He’s young, he’s left-footed, and he can cover multiple spots. If the medical reports on Hincapie aren't great, expect Arsenal to pull the trigger on a defender sooner rather than later.
What Really Matters for the Rest of January
Look, the reality of the 2026 winter window is that Arsenal are mostly set. They did the heavy lifting in the summer with Madueke, Merino, and Eze.
Arteta is a perfectionist, though. He’s watching Manchester City sign Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, and he knows he can't stand still.
Actionable Insights for the Savvy Fan:
- Watch the "Pedri" race: If Vasilije Kostov signs elsewhere, it tells us Arsenal are pivoting to a more "win-now" veteran midfielder.
- Monitor the Chelsea Semi-Final: If the attack looks toothless against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, the pressure to sign a "Plan B" striker like Julian Alvarez or even a short-term loan will skyrocket.
- The February 2nd Deadline: This year’s window closes late (7pm GMT). Expect the real movement to happen in the final 48 hours. Arsenal are notorious for "market opportunity" signings late in the day.
The club has a six-point lead. They don't need to panic. But in the Premier League, if you aren't moving forward, you're moving backward. Keep an eye on the defensive situation; that’s where the real January business is likely to hide.