As Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table, manager Mikel Arteta is looking beyond the immediate title race and towards the future. The January transfer window presents a strategic opportunity for the Gunners to secure young talent, with the club's squad already considered strong enough to mount a serious championship challenge.
Replicating the Saliba Blueprint with Milan Prodigy
Arsenal's recruitment strategy appears to be repeating a successful formula. The club has been linked with a move for AC Milan's 19-year-old left-back Davide Bartesaghi. The talented teenager, who has made 28 first-team appearances and drawn comparisons to Rossoneri legend Paolo Maldini, is reportedly being scouted by the North London side.
This approach mirrors the club's acquisition of William Saliba in 2019. The French defender was signed less than a year after his professional debut and loaned back to Saint-Etienne, later having spells with Nice and Marseille before becoming a cornerstone of Arteta's defence three years later. With competition at left-back from Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly, Bartesaghi could follow an identical development path if he moves to the Emirates Stadium.
Securing a Long-Term Goalkeeping Solution
Another AC Milan youngster is also on Arsenal's radar. Goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani, aged 20, impressed during a pre-season friendly against the Gunners, notably saving three penalties in a shootout. Although he has spent most of this season with Milan's reserves, he is viewed by the Italian club as a future number one.
For Arsenal, a move for Torriani would signal a shift in strategy for the backup goalkeeper role. Arteta has signed a new second-choice shot-stopper in each of his full seasons, with the latest being Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, the 31-year-old is unlikely to ever dislodge the established David Raya. Torriani would be recruited as a prospective long-term successor, offering a more future-focused solution between the posts.
Rewarding Current Stars with New Deals
Away from incoming transfers, Arsenal are also focusing on securing the services of their existing key players. Jurrien Timber, the 24-year-old Dutch right-back, is in line for a new contract following a standout season.
After missing his debut 2023/24 campaign through injury, Timber has become one of the Premier League's most impressive full-backs this term. His market value, according to Transfermarkt, now stands at a substantial £61 million. With his current deal running until 2028, the club are confident of agreeing an extension that reflects his importance to Arteta's project, ensuring his prime years are spent in North London.
With the returns of Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz from injury further bolstering an already deep squad, Arteta is in a position of strength. His January activity looks set to be characterised by smart, forward-thinking moves designed to sustain the club's success for years to come.
