Arsenal are currently sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League table as we hit the middle of January 2026. Life is good at the Emirates. But you know how it is. The transfer window opens and everyone starts losing their minds over who’s coming through the door.
Honestly, the latest soccer transfer news arsenal isn't about a massive £100m panic buy this time. Mikel Arteta and the new sporting director, Andrea Berta, seem to have a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" vibe going on. After dropping a quarter of a billion pounds last summer to bring in guys like Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi, the squad is actually... deep? It's a weird feeling for Arsenal fans.
The Serbian Pedri and the Youth Movement
There is this 17-year-old kid at Red Star Belgrade named Vasilije Kostov. Everyone’s calling him the "Serbian Pedri." Original, right? But the interest from North London is legit. He’s already got 11 goal involvements in Serbia this season and apparently, Arsenal scouts have been living in Belgrade lately.
The problem? Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also sniffing around.
👉 See also: Dodgers Black Heritage Night 2025: Why It Matters More Than the Jersey
Red Star probably won't sell this month, but there's talk of a £17m deal for the summer. It's a "future-proofing" move. Arteta loves a versatile midfielder, and Kostov can play as a 10 or an 8. But you’ve gotta wonder what that means for Ethan Nwaneri. The kid is 18 now and struggling to get minutes because the first team is just too stacked.
- Vasilije Kostov: The top target for the future.
- Ethan Nwaneri: Might actually leave on loan if he doesn't get a look-in soon.
- Rodrigo Mendoza: Another "next Pedri" (seriously, how many are there?) from Elche with a £17.5m clause.
Is Ben White Really Going to Everton?
This is the rumor that won't die. Everton are desperate for a right-back, and Ben White has only started five league games this season. Jurrien Timber has basically locked down that spot.
There was a lot of noise about a January exit, but the word from inside the club is a hard "no." Arsenal want the title. You don't sell a £50m defender when you're chasing the trophy, even if he’d rather be gardening than watching football. He’s staying put until at least May.
✨ Don't miss: College Football Top 10: What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Rankings
The Marc Guehi Situation
Now, this is interesting. Marc Guehi’s contract at Crystal Palace is winding down (expires summer 2026). He almost went to Liverpool last year, but Palace played hardball. Now, Arsenal are in the mix.
Imagine a backline with Saliba, Gabriel, and Guehi. It’s almost unfair. If they move for him now, it’ll be because they want to beat Man City and Bayern to the punch. If they wait until summer, they might get him for free. It’s a gamble.
Why January is quiet
Basically, the "latest soccer transfer news arsenal" is more about tactical tweaks than squad overhauls. Arteta even hired a new throw-in coach, Thomas Grønnemark. Yeah, the guy who worked with Klopp at Liverpool. They’ve scored 24 set-piece goals this season, but none from long throws. Arteta wants every single margin.
🔗 Read more: Cleveland Guardians vs Atlanta Braves Matches: Why This Interleague Rivalry Hits Different
What about a new Striker?
Everyone's still talking about Viktor Gyökeres. He cost £55m last summer but has been hit by injuries. Gabriel Jesus is back, but let’s be real, his knees are a constant worry.
There’s some chatter about Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. He’s a boyhood Arsenal fan and has a £65m release clause. It's a lot of money for a mid-season move, especially with Kai Havertz playing so well in that "facilitator" role. Most experts think Arsenal will wait. Signing a striker in January is historically a nightmare anyway—remember Kim Källström? Okay, he was a midfielder, but you get the point.
What You Should Watch For Next
The next two weeks will be about outgoings and youth loans. Don't expect a Declan Rice-level bombshell. The club is focused on Nottingham Forest this weekend and keeping the momentum.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Keep an eye on the "Serbian Pedri" (Kostov) news: If a pre-agreement happens, it'll likely leak in the next ten days.
- Watch the Ben White bench minutes: If he doesn't even come on as a sub in the next two games, the summer exit rumors will go into overdrive.
- Check the loan list: If Nwaneri or Myles Lewis-Skelly head out on loan, it's a sign Arsenal are happy with their midfield depth for the run-in.
The window closes soon. Unless someone like Real Madrid puts Rodrygo on the market for cheap (unlikely), Arsenal are probably going to ride this current squad all the way to May. It’s a boring answer, but for a team top of the league, boring is exactly what you want.