Arsenal Transfer Rumors: The Gunners Still Await first January Signings

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Arsenal management and fans enter the second week of January anxiously awaiting their first transfer window signings which will hopefully come sooner rather than later.

Arsene Wenger has been considering possible moves for Lucas Biglia and Eduardo Vargas this January.  Lucas Biglia, the Anderlecht midfielder has indicated his desire to take his talents to the Premier League, and January would be a prime opportunity for that. The Argentine takes on a more defensive approach to the midfield, which Arsenal are desperately in need of at the moment.

As Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, and Santi Cazorla take on a more silky, attacking approach, Biglia would offer a defensive outlet that seems to be lacking for the Gunners this term.  With Abou Diaby injured, and Mikel Arteta not getting any younger, Biglia offers longevity to Arsene Wenger.

Wenger also is tracking Napoli’s forward, Eduardo Vargas.  It seems likely that if Wenger does indeed bring Vargas to Arsenal this January, it will be on loan to help with their striking force.  Since his move from Sao Paolo, Vargas never has settled into his current Italian club with Edinson Cavani featuring regularly.  He currently is in search of his tally of the 2012/13 season, and may just find his first goal at Arsenal alongside the in-form striker, Theo Walcott.

The Gunners continue to unload their players: Marouane Chamakh, Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou and now reports of Andrei Arshavin set to leave the club.

Arsenal need reinforcements, and fast.  The Gunners currently sit in 6th place (9-7-4) on 34 points, with a game in hand.  Wenger’s squad sit 5 points behind 3rd place, Tottenham Hotspur therefore, are not too far out of contention for a top 3 finish.  The streaky performances ranging from a 7-3 victory against Newcastle United, and the following week a 1-1 draw against Southampton indicates the squad lacks stability.

And the Premier League schedule is not getting any easier for Wenger’s squad.  January 13th Arsenal take on 2nd place, Manchester City followed by a January 20th clash against a resurgent Chelsea squad with their new signing, Demba Ba.  If Arsenal are to gain ground, they need at least 4 points and Tottenham to falter in order to find themselves in contention.

Continuous speculation of whom Arsene Wenger will sign first remains the subject to debate. Will it be James McCarthy, Eduardo Vargas, Lucas Biglia or the unlikely yet intriguing move for Barcelona’s, David Villa?  If Arsenal are to challenge for a top 4 finish in the Premier League, and secure another spot in the Champions League next season, Wenger must strengthen his squad immediately.

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