Arsenal could be preparing for another important move in the transfer market, with the club’s hierarchy reportedly considering a new attacking addition when the January transfer window opens.
The Gunners entered the 2026-27 campaign after a summer in which they made significant changes to their squad. However, despite making major efforts to strengthen the team, Arsenal were unable to complete deals for several high-profile attacking targets.
That has left the possibility of another attacking addition firmly on the agenda ahead of January.
Arsenal’s ownership and senior football leadership are understood to remain focused on maintaining the club’s position among the leading teams in England, particularly after Mikel Arteta guided the side to the Premier League title last season.
The club’s ambition means that recruitment is unlikely to stop simply because Arsenal were unable to land their preferred attacker during the summer.
Arsenal’s Summer Attacking Plans
Arsenal’s summer recruitment demonstrated the club’s desire to improve its attacking options.
Sky Sports reported that the Gunners attempted to sign several elite forwards, including Julian Alvarez, Vinicius Junior and Morgan Rogers, although none of those moves materialised. The club ultimately entered the season without the marquee attacking signing it had been pursuing.
That situation has created an interesting scenario for Arteta.
Arsenal have quality attacking players, including Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Christos Tzolis. Youngster Max Dowman has also emerged as an additional option.
However, the departure of several attacking players during the summer means that Arsenal’s depth in certain positions could become an issue if injuries or fixture congestion affect the squad.
Sky Sports noted that Arsenal sold or moved on four first-team forwards during the summer, while only one recognised attacking player arrived in that area.
That is one reason why January recruitment could become increasingly important.
The January Opportunity
The January transfer window presents Arsenal with another opportunity to address any weaknesses that emerge during the first half of the season.
The club does not necessarily need to make a major signing simply for the sake of adding another player. Instead, the recruitment team can monitor how the squad performs before deciding whether an additional attacker is required.
If Arsenal encounter problems with injuries, fatigue or a lack of goals from certain areas of the attack, the argument for a January signing could become stronger.
Recent reports have already linked Arsenal with potential attacking targets.
Sky Sports reported that Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi and Brentford attacker Kevin Schade were among the players being mentioned as potential Arsenal targets ahead of the January window.
Neither report confirms that Arsenal have reached an agreement with either player, but their inclusion in transfer reports illustrates the kind of attacking profiles being discussed around the club.
Why the Owner Could Back Arteta
Arsenal’s ownership has already demonstrated a willingness to invest in Arteta’s squad.
The club spent heavily during previous transfer windows as part of the manager’s long-term rebuilding project. That investment eventually contributed to Arsenal becoming Premier League champions last season after several years of development.
Arteta has also recently agreed a new contract with Arsenal, according to Reuters and Sky Sports. His previous agreement was due to expire next summer, but he has committed his future to the club.
The new agreement provides further continuity for Arsenal’s project.
With Arteta remaining in charge, the club’s hierarchy can continue planning recruitment around his tactical requirements rather than having to prepare for a managerial transition.
An attacking signing in January would therefore potentially be part of a broader long-term strategy rather than a reaction to one poor result.
Arsenal Need More Options in Attack
One of the biggest questions surrounding Arsenal’s squad is how much attacking depth they have on the left side.
Sky Sports highlighted the issue after the summer window, noting that Arsenal did not replace all of the attacking players who departed. The report identified Tzolis as the only recognised natural left-wing option, although players such as Eze and Madueke can also operate in that position.
That versatility gives Arteta alternatives, but the club may still want another specialist attacker.
A new forward could provide competition for places while also allowing Arteta to rotate his players more frequently.
This could become particularly important during the second half of the season, when Premier League matches arrive alongside Champions League and domestic cup fixtures.
The Importance of Squad Depth
Arsenal’s recent success has increased the number of matches the team is expected to play.
Competing for trophies requires more than having an excellent starting XI. Managers need reliable alternatives capable of maintaining the team’s level when key players are unavailable.
Arteta has already spoken about the challenges involved in integrating new players into his system. He has explained that Arsenal carefully consider factors such as a player’s personality, family circumstances, adaptability and ability to cope with the demands of English football before making a signing.
That suggests any January recruitment will likely be carefully considered.
The club may prefer a player who fits Arteta’s tactical system and can contribute immediately rather than simply pursuing a famous name.
Max Dowman Could Also Have a Role
Another factor Arsenal’s hierarchy must consider is the emergence of Max Dowman.
The young Arsenal star is expected to have a greater role with the first team this season after impressing during his breakthrough period.
Sky Sports previously reported that Dowman could provide options on the right wing and in the No. 10 position.
His development could influence Arsenal’s January plans.
If Dowman continues progressing and demonstrates that he can contribute consistently, the club may decide that another attacking signing is unnecessary in certain positions.
However, adding another forward would not necessarily block his pathway. Increased competition could allow Arteta to manage Dowman’s minutes carefully while continuing his development.
A Major Decision for Arsenal
The January transfer window could therefore become an important moment for Arsenal.
The club has already built a squad capable of competing at the highest level, but the failure to secure one of its preferred elite attackers during the summer means the possibility of further recruitment remains open.
The ownership, sporting department and Arteta will have to assess the squad based on the first half of the campaign before deciding whether another attacker is required.
The names of Kroupi and Schade have already appeared in reports concerning Arsenal’s potential January plans, but neither player has been confirmed as an Arsenal signing.
For now, the focus remains on the players already at the Emirates.
Saka, Havertz, Odegaard, Madueke, Eze, Tzolis and Dowman will have opportunities to demonstrate that Arsenal already possess enough attacking quality to compete across multiple competitions.
However, if the club believes additional firepower is necessary, Arsenal’s ownership could once again be prepared to support Arteta in the transfer market.
With the January window approaching, the possibility of a new attacking recruit will therefore remain one of the major storylines surrounding the Premier League champions.
Any decision will ultimately depend on performances, injuries, squad depth and the availability of suitable targets.
What is clear is that Arsenal’s ambitions have not changed. After finally returning to the top of English football, the club will be looking to maintain that standard—and strengthening the attack could become an important part of that process.
