Arsenal likely to miss out on two transfer targets

Arsenal will be expected to return to winning ways when they face Burnley on Saturday afternoon. 

The Gunners started the season strongly but have stumbled slightly in recent weeks, and were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle United at St James’ Park last weekend.

The result leaves Mikel Arteta’s side third in the Premier League table, behind reigning champions Manchester City and North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Now, it appears that Arsenal could also miss out on two of their top transfer targets in the January window.

According to Football Insider, the Gunners are unlikely to succeed in signing either Douglas Luiz or Martin Zubimendi.

Aston Villa star Luiz has been linked with a move to The Emirates previously and the club are believed to have had multiple offers rejected last year.

Luiz is unlikely to leave Aston Villa during the January transfer window

The report claims that Arsenal may make a move to sign the Brazilian when the transfer window reopens as they hunt for midfield reinforcements, but the Villans are unwilling to lose the player midway through the season and are therefore almost certain to reject any offers.

Zubimendi, meanwhile, has established himself as a regular for boyhood club Real Sociedad and is another high priority target for Arteta as he looks for midfielders.

The La Liga side, who are in the Champions League this season, are also said to be unwilling to part ways with a key player during the January transfer window, however, which makes it unlikely that Arsenal will succeed in luring Zubimendi from San Sebastian to London.

Arsenal did sign Declan Rice from fellow Londoners West ham United over the summer, and Arteta does still have Ghana international Thomas Partey available to him when fit.

The former Atletico Madrid man played a key role for the Gunners last term, but hasn’t featured regularly so far this season.