Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are clearly in trouble with their approach to the January transfer deadline.
Arteta would really like to add quality and strengthen his squad, but the club simply cannot spend much money.
Arsenal are expected to be hampered by FFP restrictions this month, meaning any deal will have to be very creative.
Given this, in an ideal world, Arteta would probably want to add a defender, a midfielder and a striker to his Arsenal squad in January.
However, as this level of recruitment is unlikely due to the aforementioned parameters, there may still be smart deals available.
Those who watched the opening AFCON match yesterday may have noticed the “excellent” performance of midfielder Seko Fofana.
Fofana currently plays for Al-Nassr after moving from Lens for £22 million in the summer.
The 28-year-old has played at an extremely high level in Ligue 1 in recent years and had his sights set on the Premier League before leaving for Saudi Arabia.
With Fofana available on loan in January, Arteta may have found the perfect reinforcement for his Arsenal.
Seko Fofa would be perfect for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad in January
Fofana’s absence at the AFCON may complicate the deal, but Arsenal can still get excellent value.
The club simply cannot rely on the fitness of Thomas Partey, although he has received a boost in terms of his return date.
With Declan Rice now often playing as a number six, Fofana with his versatility would be perfect for a number eight.
Similarly, Fofana could happily sit in the center of the box while the English midfielder would be given a more advanced role.
A short-term transfer of Fofana in January could be a masterpiece for Arteta’s Arsenal squad.
Perhaps a central midfielder is not ideal for their long-term vision, but a loan could prevent a summer hunt for Douglas Luiz or Martin Zubimendi.
It is certainly an option that Arsenal should consider and could be the only type of deal that materializes this month.
With this in mind, Arsenal now look very well positioned to chase a Premier League striker this summer.