Arsenal news: Gunners make striker plans, Miguel Azeez speaks out on potential recall

Arsenal transfer news

In this article, we bring you all of today’s Arsenal transfer news in the run-up to the January window.

Make sure to check back to 101greatgoals.com regularly for updates on the Gunners and their transfer dealings.

New striker incoming in the summer

If there was any lingering doubt about a potential addition to the forward line, today’s events have put those to bed.

In what could prove the end of his Arsenal career, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following a disciplinary breach last week, that saw him miss his side’s win over Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal announced that following his latest disciplinary breach last week, Pierre Aubameyang will no longer be club captain. 🚫

Arsenal are already planning to sign a new striker for 2022 – probably in the summer.

To be clear: there are no talks with Vlahović/agents.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)

You can read more about it

And, as per Fabrizio Romano (the tweet above), Arsenal are already in the market for a new striker, though it will likely be a summer move due to the difficulties of signing players in January.

Balogun a target for Nottingham Forest

Arsenal starlet Folarin Balogun was expected to make the step up to the first team this season, after signing a new contract with the Gunners last season, declining interest from clubs in England and abroad to commit to remaining in north London.

However, in the time since Balogun has been returned to plying his trade largely for the under 23s, where he continues to star. Indeed, he has shown on multiple occasions that he is far too good for the level he is playing at, as can be seen .

Now, as per the generally reliable John Percy of The Telegraph, he has emerged as a target for Nottingham Forest, who Arsenal play in the third round of the FA Cup at the beginning of January.

will prioritise the signing of a striker in January, likely to be a PL loan. Targets include Keinan Davis & Folarin Balogun. Adam Idah also discussed but unlikely at this stage. Forest also hopeful Djed Spence will stay, player v keen to complete the season

— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph)

With Per Mertesacker recently it is likely Balogun will leave on loan, could Forest be a perfect destination?

Azeez not planning an early recall

With one man going out on loan in the form of Balogun, one man who will seemingly not be recalled at present is Miguel Azeez, currently spending the season at Portsmouth.

+3 and an assist 🅰️happy days:)

— Miguel Azeez (@MiguelAzeez)

Speaking after the South Coast side’s most recent victory, he told :

‘At the moment I’m in December so I’m just focusing on my next game. At the moment it’s not in my mind [returning] because I’m focusing on those games and giving good performances whenever I play.

‘When it happens, it happens. I’m just focused on playing so whenever that happens I want to make sure to give the best account of myself. Hopefully I can carry on doing that.

‘I always have contact with Arsenal. They always ask how things are going and wish me good luck for games. Both clubs have been really good in terms of helping me improve myself on and off the pitch.’

With Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny departing the club in January for the African Cup of Nations, could we see a shock return?

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