Arsenal are desperare to add a new striker and a midfielder before the transfer window closes with Mikel Arteta identifying Dusan Vlahovic and Arthur as his top two targets
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Arsenal have a fresh incentive to seal deals for Dusan Vlahovic or Arthur early next week.
The Gunners have a fortnight until the transfer window closes as they look to add reinforcements this month.
Mikel Arteta hopes to sign a new striker and a midfielder with the Fiorentina hitman and the Juventus star his top two targets.
But the Spaniard will have his eye on another deadline as they could feature as early as Thursday night for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool if they can secure an imminent deal.
The Gunners have until 12noon on Wednesday, January 19 to register any potential new arrivals for them to be available for selection the following night.
EFL follow the same rules as the Premier League when it comes to player registration for the Carabao Cup.
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A statement reads: “Subject to the provisions of Rule V.1, the deadline for receipt by the board of all duly completed documents required by these rules to effect the registration of a player shall be 12 noon on the last Working Day before the date of the first league match in which the club making the application intends him to play, save that the international transfer certificate and evidence of eligibility to take up employment in the United Kingdom (in both cases if applicable) may be provided thereafter (but must be provided before the player is eligible to play for a club in a league match).”
In addition, as long as any new signing isn’t cup-tied, they can feature in either of the semi-final ties, which is another motive for Arsenal to get their business across the finish line in the next few days.
It would be a dream scenario for Arteta if he could call on either player for the return leg against Liverpool after their battling 0-0 draw at Anfield.
Alexandre Lacazette is Arsenal’s only recognisable no.9, while their options in midfield are even more scarce with Granit Xhaka suspended after he was sent off in the first half against Jurgen Klopp’s side for a high challenge on Diogo Jota as the last man.
Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are away at the Africa Cup of Nations as Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka dropped into deeper positions in the first leg following Xhaka’s dismissal.
Arteta admitted himself that Arsenal “don’t have any midfielders” as he faces a selection dilemma for the second leg with reports Ben White, Calum Chambers and, surprisingly, Sead Kolasinac are potential options in the middle of the park.
He said after the goalless draw: “We don’t have any midfielder. Whatever we are going to do is not going to be natural.
“We played with three midfield players – Martinelli, Sambi and Saka. They’ve never played there in their lives in that formation.”
Arsenal are closing in on Vlahovic with reports in Italy claiming they have tabled an opening offer for the Fiorentina talisman.
A loan deal for Arthur seemed to be going in the right direction too until Juve made it clear they want a replacement before signing off on the move.
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