The Hard Tackle suggests three players for Arsenal to scout during the ongoing AFC Asian Cup in the coming weeks.
The January transfer market has always been a tricky affair, especially for most prominent clubs. Teams are wary of making foundational signings in this month, as managers only tend to focus on players that improve their current first team squad. Arsenal, in particular, are in this sort of a dilemma as Mikel Arteta ponders on how much money he needs to spend to strengthen the squad.
The Gunners clearly need a striker of a high calibre. But they are also looking for a wide attacker and even a midfielder to enhance their team. Arsenal are still very much in contention for the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Still, Arteta will want a similar window to last January, where they managed to bring quality reinforcements. Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho have all proven their worth, with the Gunners working to get them at decent prices.
Arteta will want a similar window, but this time, the options are too far and few for them to consider, while the ongoing AFCON and AFC Asian Cup have complicated matters. We have already prepared a list of players for Arsenal should consider at the AFCON and will draw up a similar three-man list for the Asian Cup.
Some players may suit Arsenal in their quest to improve their squad, with a midfielder, wide attacker and a central striker all featuring on this list. The Gunners have a deep scouting network to get the job done, as they might have current and future agendas on the table.
For instance, we recommend the Gunners look at South Korean international and PSG star Lee Kang-in as a potential midfield option, considering how Arteta dearly wants to enhance the left-eight role. Similarly, there is Japanese attacker Takefusa Kubo, who has lit up La Liga with his performances.
Finally, to end the list, there is Mehdi Taremi, the 31-year-old Iranian striker and Porto frontman, who has proven himself as a prolific goalscorer. Could he help Arsenal with their current goalscoring problems until the end of the season? Maybe so, as we dive deep into these stars who are set to feature for their nations at the AFC Asian Cup.
Lee Kang-in (PSG)
The South Korean international has made a necessary impact at PSG since his big move from RCD Mallorca in the summer. PSG have utilised him regularly, with Luis Enrique often deploying him as an attacking eight in his 4-3-3 system, which is very similar to Arteta.
🧊 Lee Kang-in with ice in his veins to seal the win!#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #KORvBHR pic.twitter.com/t2z9jS8Efo
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 15, 2024
Lee Kang-in has already produced good numbers with three goals and two assists in all competitions. He has been a solid enough performer for the Parisians, and there will be many clubs keeping a watchful eye on his displays with South Korea.
The midfielder could emerge as an exciting option for Mikel Arteta, who might look to change a few players in his current squad. For instance, he has the attributes to replace Emile Smith Rowe, who Arsenal could sell amid FFP concerns.
He can also compete with Fabio Vieira for a place in the squad, as his experience with PSG could come in handy. There are fewer chances of Arsenal signing him during this window, as Lee Kang-in could still emerge as a solid summer signing for the Premier League giants.
Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)
Arsenal have been forever looking for a new winger to enhance the roles on both flanks. Mikel Arteta has heavily relied on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli over the past two-and-a-half seasons and needs someone to take on the burden desperately.
The idea here is not to bring someone not to be a backup to those first-choice wingers but to take the load and become a regular rotational option. Kubo has displayed enough capabilities to compete for a place in a top team, as there are many sides eager to sign him.
The Asian Cup will be a different test for him in a flying Japanese side, which also has Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu, with whom the Gunners are close to renewing his contract. Kubo can become an exceptional option for the Gunners and remains available in this window if any side can pay his €60 million release clause.
There are sides like Manchester United keen on the attacker, with the Red Devils somewhat serious about their intent to sign him now or later in the summer. Similarly, Tottenham are also in the hunt. But things could change if winter arrival Timo Werner manages to make his loan move permanent in the summer.
Mehdi Taremi (FC Porto)
Arsenal are clearly looking for a new striker, with a host of high-profile names already linked with a move. In truth, the Gunners cannot afford to sign a star forward as well as strengthen their defence and midfield in the January transfer window, meaning they might look at alternatives with a short-term agenda.
⚽️ No player has scored more goals than Mehdi Taremi (25) in Liga Portugal since the start of last season pic.twitter.com/cWxcE5Fpky
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 17, 2024
Mehdi Taremi, who will feature for Iran at the AFC Asian Cup, could be someone they can glance at as a temporary option to help solve their goalscoring issues. The Gunners forward have not been firing this season and in the last few games, proved wasteful at best.
Taremi has been yearning for a big move to one of the Premier League clubs for some time now, amid links to Manchester United and has a prolific record to show from his time in Portugal. He has not hit the heights of last season with the Liga Portugal side. But he can still overcome his problems and score plenty of goals in the second part of the season.
Arsenal could formulate a loan deal or even a cut-price move, considering his contract ends in the summer. He can definitely play as a good backup to Gabriel Jesus and even allow the Gunners to sell Eddie Nketiah for a viable offer in this window.
Taremi might not be a favourite to join the North Londoners due to his age and playing style, but the backup role certainly is an experienced option for Arteta to consider. That said, a move to Inter Milan might be on the cards.
