Arsenal now want to sign club-captain who Lionel Messi says is ‘one of the best’ in the world – Arteta wants Him for short term project

Arsenal are looking to the January window to strengthen once again and Barcelona defender Sergi Roberto is the latest name mentioned.

The Gunners lost to West Ham the other night to further put fans into a panic over their needs in January.

It means for the second season running, Arsenal have got the lead in the Premier League table and now look like throwing it away.

A striker has always been the main focus for Arsenal – with Ivan Toney and Victor Boniface among those linked – it seems a new defender is also on the radar.

And according to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona skipper Sergi Roberto is a player Mikel Arteta would love to sign for Arsenal.

Arsenal would love to sign Sergi Roberto
The report claims that the Gunners have had a long-standing interest in Roberto, who is now over 30 and the current captain at Barcelona.

It’s claimed the Spaniard is a big fan of London and has recently spent part of the Christmas season over the English capital.

Arsenal are known admirers and with Arteta keen on adding strength to the defence, Roberto is seen as a player who could really help the Gunners.

Roberto’s rise at Barca is to be admired and he has won the praise of a certain Lionel Messi as well, who dubbed him one of the best in the world.

“You have become one of the best full-backs in the world. The moment you made us live was amazing, because of how it came to be, it was impressive,” Messi said in a message to Roberto.

Roberto, now 31, would bring experience and class to the Arsenal ranks.

However, a deal would be hard to do given his status in Barcelona and as of now, it seems others might be more within the Gunners’ reach.