‘Wouldn’t surprise me’… David Ornstein hints Arsenal may have late transfer window move in the works

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David Ornstein has shared the information that he has been given about the plans that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have in the January transfer window.

The Athletic reporter has noted that what he has to say may not necessarily please Arsenal fans.

So, what has David Ornstein said about Arsenal’s January transfer window plan? Let’s take a look.

David Ornstein on Arsenal’s plans in January transfer window

Well, David Ornstein was doing a Q&A in The Athletic on Thursday, and, as you would expect, the well-known and well-respected journalist was asked about the plans that Arsenal have in the January transfer window.

Ornstein has said that Arsenal could do something reactive. The reporter has said that the Gunners do not expect big deals this month, but the North London club could make moves towards the end of the window.

The reporter said: “It wouldn’t surprise me if they ended up doing something reactive towards the end of the window — purely because they are always attentive to the market, they are short in places and we can never say never in this industry.

“But as I have consistently reported, Arsenal’s financial position dictated that this was expected to be a quiet window and still to this point I am not aware of anything meaningful developing yet.

“That’s not to say work hasn’t gone on behind the scenes to identify and prepare options in multiple positions for now, summer and beyond. But whether any of those can or will be acted upon before the end of the month is another matter altogether. It will largely depend on whether and which players leave and what space and finance that would create to do business the other way.

“Sorry for the boring answer but, to my knowledge, it’s the reality. Arsenal really need to get their existing players — who are proven to deliver the results the club wants — to rediscover their best form. That seems to be a bigger issue right now than recruitment.”

My View: Arsenal need to sign a striker in January

In my view, Arsenal have to sign a top-quality striker in the January transfer window, not just for the second half of the season, but for next few years as well.

Yes, I know that Gabriel Jesus is a very good forward who is crucial in the way that Arsenal attack. Martin Odegaard rates him highly.

However, the Brazil international is not a prolific goalscorer. The former Manchester City striker, who has had injury problems, has scored 72 goals and provided 36 assists in 200 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.

That is simply not good enough for an Arsenal team who are aiming to win the Premier League. Just look at the numbers of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

Salah has scored 153 goals and provided 67 assists in 251 Premier League matches, while Haaland has scored 50 goals and provided 12 assists in 50 Premier League appearances.