Arsenal are currently dominating the Premier League, sitting six points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa. They recently secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, capitalising on City dropping points in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday. The title charge has been further bolstered by the welcome returns of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhães, and Kai Havertz.
Despite this strong position, Mikel Arteta remains open to doing business in the January transfer window. Back in December, the Spaniard admitted they are actively looking to improve the squad if the right opportunity arises. “We’re going to be really aware of the situation and the timescale of certain players,” he noted, emphasising the need to be prepared. Rumours are certainly swirling behind the scenes. One club legend has already touted Real Madrid’s Rodrygo as a perfect fit for a switch to North London, though the club’s incoming transfer plans are not quite fully fleshed out just yet.
The Declan Rice Factor
What is undeniably clear is Arteta’s absolute faith in his current starting eleven. Declan Rice made a triumphant return to the side for the Bournemouth clash after missing the 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa through injury. He was the ultimate difference maker at the Vitality Stadium. The 26-year-old marked his return with a brilliant brace, prompting Arteta to insist the England international is now well and truly among the best in the world in his position. His manager was quick to highlight how Rice’s all-round game has reached another level, particularly with his recent knack for finding the back of the net.
Frustration in the Ranks
While things look incredibly bright at the top of the table, there is brewing frustration on the fringes of the squad. Academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly has reportedly made his feelings known to Arteta regarding a severe lack of regular minutes at the Emirates. The 19-year-old finds himself firmly stuck behind both Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori in the left-back pecking order. He has managed just a single Premier League start this campaign, restricted to only 12 starts across 26 appearances in all competitions.
United Circle for Arsenal Youth
This unrest has caught the attention of Manchester United. According to Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan, the Red Devils are actively monitoring Lewis-Skelly’s situation as they hunt for a younger left-back option this summer. They have already been exploring deals for Newcastle’s Lewis Hall and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown. Yet, Lewis-Skelly offers an intriguing alternative. His ability to operate comfortably in midfield is a versatility United highly admire, especially as they look to eventually replace Casemiro.
Arsenal tied the teenager down to a five-year contract just last summer. Even so, the North London club are expected to make a few major sales to balance the books, meaning an exit might actually suit all parties if the youngster tries to force a move. Lewis-Skelly was firmly in Thomas Tuchel’s England plans last term, picking up six caps for the Three Lions—a clear indicator of his immense pedigree. A move to the Theatre of Dreams certainly has its appeal. However, the teenager’s primary goal is regular first-team football, and whether United can actually guarantee him those minutes remains the key stumbling block for any potential deal.
