The January transfer window is fast approaching, and it’s a time where, potentially, Unai Emery can add or deduct from his current squad.
Arsenal are not known for doing business in January, but the board may be willing to hand Emery some cash to achieve a top four finish this season – especially after such a promising start both domestically and in Europe.
However, if new recruits are to arrive, a few players may have to make way as a result.
So, here are three players the Gunners could look to move on this winter:
Carl Jenkinson
In the past five seasons, including this one, the 26-year-old right-back has made just 14 appearances for the Gunners. He has spent most of his time out on loan since his arrival from Charlton in 2011 and is still struggling to cement a place in the first-team line-up. He is clearly out-of-favour, making just two starts under Emery, both coming in cup competitions this season, and finds himself behind Hector Bellerin and even the aging Stephan Lichtsteiner. Another loan move may occur in January, but surely his time at the Emirates is up and they should just look to make some profit from his sale.
Mohamed Elneny
The Egyptian midfielder was signed from Basel in 2016 and has been in and out of the team to basically give him a certain amount of playing time to appease him. This season, Elneny has made just four appearances and yet to feature in the Premier League as Emery favours others in his position such as Matteo Guendouzi, Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira. Regular first-team action looks hard to come by for the 26-year-old and has been linked with a move away from the Emirates this January – he would be wise to take it if offered one.
Emile Smith Rowe
The 18-year-old made the breakthrough into the first-team this season under Emery and looks one for the future. The teenage midfielder has made five appearances (three in the Europa League and the other two in the Carabao Cup) and scored two goals so far. However, he is unlikely to feature regularly from January onwards as he still has a lot to learn and Emery will favour more experienced players as they look to continue their Europa League journey further. Smith Rowe is also behind a load of players in the pecking order, so a loan move away would be ideal for him to continue his development.
