Arsenal will face a defensive crisis this season if they don’t complete signing of this world-class player

Mikel Arteta set to face huge Arsenal problem this season which forces hand for fifth transfer
Arsenal could live to regret their decision if a fifth signing – to cover for the injured Jurrien Timber – is not completed before the summer transfer window closes

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is on course to find himself in a rather unique predicament at the beginning of 2024, which in turn will likely dictate his plans for the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Having already bolstered the first-team squad with the signings of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and David Raya, there’s talk of one or two further additions before deadline day with the Gunners boss admitting last week that he’s willing to consider dipping back into the market following Jurrien Timber’s anterior cruciate ligament injury.

“I’m more thinking about the resources in the team to keep doing what we want to do,” he told reporters ahead of Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. “But it’s true he was giving us a lot on both sides. But again, it’s things that happen and we have to be prepared for that.”

With just over a week to go until transfer deadline day, and the focus very much being on player sales, it remains to be seen if the north London outfit are able to get any more business done with regard to incomings. Although, when looking ahead to what the picture could look like in the new year, it’s clear what decision must be made.

Between January 13 and February 11, the Africa Cup of Nations will take place in the Ivory Coast. Egypt have already qualified and Ghana are likely to join them which means Arteta could be without and Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey for up to a month early on in the new year if both players are called up by their respective nations.

Running alongside AFCON will be the 2023 AFC Asian Cup which gets underway on Friday, January 12 and draws to a conclusion on Saturday, February 10. Initially pencilled in to be held in China this summer, in May 2022 it was announced that they would not host the tournament due to the Covid-19 situation in the country. It was confirmed last October that the tournament would instead be played in Qatar.

Drawn in Group D alongside Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam, Japan are likely to be among the favourites to reach the final. Were that to happen then Arsenal face the prospect of losing Takehiro Tomiyasu for a total of seven games across all competitions. However, that does depend on how they fare in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Expect a similar timeframe for Partey if Ghana qualify for AFCON, he gets called up and his nation reach the final. These scenarios will almost certainly pose a problem for Arteta as the double temporary departures leave his defensive options rather thin for a month that will involve four Premier League fixtures and potentially three domestic cup ties.

Whilst a midfielder by trade, Partey – so far this season – has been operating in somewhat of a hybrid right-back role and the injury to Timber has effectively pushed Tomiyasu up the pecking order at left-back and it’s worth remembering that he’s also an option on the opposite flank and as a central defender.

Taking into account the club are open to offers for Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares and Nuno Tavares, there’s a chance Arsenal come out on the other side of transfer deadline day with six senior defenders – and Partey – available for selection.

This prospect may be fine for the first half of the campaign, but come the turn of the year it could undoubtedly raise some problems. Particularly at full-back with Benjamin White, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko as the senior options. Although, given the latter’s not-so-great injury record, unless there are plans to call-up youngsters such as Reuell Walters and Lino Sousa to provide cover, it could be a massive gamble.

Of course, Arteta does have the option of preparing for Tomiyasu and Partey’s likely call-ups by completing a deal for a defender who can operate at full-back on both flanks. Alternatively, the Spaniard can perhaps hold off on cashing in on Tierney’s as although the Scot’s qualities are as an overlapping full-back rather than the inverted role, he is the perfect understudy.

Who should start for Arsenal against Fulham? Have your say below.

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Mikel Arteta set to face huge Arsenal problem this season which forces hand for fifth transfer
Arsenal could live to regret their decision if a fifth signing – to cover for the injured Jurrien Timber – is not completed before the summer transfer window closes

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is on course to find himself in a rather unique predicament at the beginning of 2024, which in turn will likely dictate his plans for the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Having already bolstered the first-team squad with the signings of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and David Raya, there’s talk of one or two further additions before deadline day with the Gunners boss admitting last week that he’s willing to consider dipping back into the market following Jurrien Timber’s anterior cruciate ligament injury.

“I’m more thinking about the resources in the team to keep doing what we want to do,” he told reporters ahead of Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. “But it’s true he was giving us a lot on both sides. But again, it’s things that happen and we have to be prepared for that.”

With just over a week to go until transfer deadline day, and the focus very much being on player sales, it remains to be seen if the north London outfit are able to get any more business done with regard to incomings. Although, when looking ahead to what the picture could look like in the new year, it’s clear what decision must be made.

Between January 13 and February 11, the Africa Cup of Nations will take place in the Ivory Coast. Egypt have already qualified and Ghana are likely to join them which means Arteta could be without and Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey for up to a month early on in the new year if both players are called up by their respective nations.

Running alongside AFCON will be the 2023 AFC Asian Cup which gets underway on Friday, January 12 and draws to a conclusion on Saturday, February 10. Initially pencilled in to be held in China this summer, in May 2022 it was announced that they would not host the tournament due to the Covid-19 situation in the country. It was confirmed last October that the tournament would instead be played in Qatar.

Drawn in Group D alongside Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam, Japan are likely to be among the favourites to reach the final. Were that to happen then Arsenal face the prospect of losing Takehiro Tomiyasu for a total of seven games across all competitions. However, that does depend on how they fare in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Expect a similar timeframe for Partey if Ghana qualify for AFCON, he gets called up and his nation reach the final. These scenarios will almost certainly pose a problem for Arteta as the double temporary departures leave his defensive options rather thin for a month that will involve four Premier League fixtures and potentially three domestic cup ties.

Whilst a midfielder by trade, Partey – so far this season – has been operating in somewhat of a hybrid right-back role and the injury to Timber has effectively pushed Tomiyasu up the pecking order at left-back and it’s worth remembering that he’s also an option on the opposite flank and as a central defender.

Taking into account the club are open to offers for Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares and Nuno Tavares, there’s a chance Arsenal come out on the other side of transfer deadline day with six senior defenders – and Partey – available for selection.

This prospect may be fine for the first half of the campaign, but come the turn of the year it could undoubtedly raise some problems. Particularly at full-back with Benjamin White, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko as the senior options. Although, given the latter’s not-so-great injury record, unless there are plans to call-up youngsters such as Reuell Walters and Lino Sousa to provide cover, it could be a massive gamble.

Of course, Arteta does have the option of preparing for Tomiyasu and Partey’s likely call-ups by completing a deal for a defender who can operate at full-back on both flanks. Alternatively, the Spaniard can perhaps hold off on cashing in on Tierney’s as although the Scot’s qualities are as an overlapping full-back rather than the inverted role, he is the perfect understudy.

Who should start for Arsenal against Fulham? Have your say below.

Feel inspired to make a positive change?
We have selected our top trusted sources that can help you take action…
Donate to Kick It Out to support equality in football