Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners could rival Chelsea for Ligue 1 starlet

Arsenal’s latest attempt to win the Premier League could prompt them into business this coming January, with the Gunners reportedly ‘concerned’ about their squad’s capacity to stay fit and go the distance this year.

The Gunners are chasing a first league title since 2003/04, when Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles strolled to top-flight glory before completing an unbeaten campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been on some journey since then, from falling out of Europe to becoming title challengers once again under the Spaniard.

After several close calls and a bumper summer window, Arsenal backed up their pre-season promise by winning 11 of their opening 16 matches.

However, the north Londoners have once again been decimated by injuries, raising fears of a repeat of the previous season, where they could only muster a tame challenge to Liverpool.

Kai Havertz has spent the vast majority of the season on the sidelines, with the likes of Gabriel and Viktor Gyokeres among those joining him in the treatment room.

Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard has only completed three Premier League games since the start of the campaign.

This has led to apparent concerns over the state of the Gunners’ midfield – and it seems as though they have a target in mind should they wish to replenish this area in the winter.

According to CaughtOffside, the Gunners have worries in all areas of their squad, with defenders, midfielders and attackers being linked ahead of the January window.

One of the more intriguing links being made is the one between Arsenal and Lille youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi, not least because of his age, but the idea that Arsenal see the central midfielder as a title-clinching purchase.

Another interesting element to this particular transfer chase is the existing interest from London rivals Chelsea, a club that has made signing young talents something of a trademark in recent years.

Bouaddi had a breakout campaign last term, making 36 appearances in all competitions as Lille finished fifth in Ligue 1 and reached the last 16 of the Champions League.

If this report has weight to it, you would imagine Arteta is after increased options rather than a gamechanging addition.

Unfortunately for the Gunners boss, his attempts to bulk out his squad have been met with an arguably worse injury record than last year.

Bouaddi may be young, but he offers versatility across central midfield, and could yet double up as a long-term signing that continues Arsenal’s exciting rebuild under Arteta.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.