Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta 'focusing' on one position with £70m transfer in his sights

Arsenal are eyeing a new winger as they look to make moves before the January transfer window slams shut with the Gunners in contention for major silverware this season

Arsenal triumphed in their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg match against London rivals Chelsea and now attention returns to the Premier League and the January transfer window.

Mikel Arteta's team emerged victorious in a 3-2 win after a rollercoaster cup tie at Stamford Bridge. Thanks to goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal head into the second leg with a one-goal lead.

Next up is a trip away to Nottingham Forest where the Gunners will hope to maintain their six-point lead at the top of the table ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa in second and third respectively. Here's all the latest news from the Emirates.

Arsenal eye winger

The Gunners are thought to be seeking a new left winger who could compete with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

The Athletic's David Ornstein speaking on NBC Sports suggested they have an interest in Anthony Gordon. He said: "It is a position that Arsenal are focusing on."

The Daily Mail also previously reported Arsenal potentially making a move for England star Gordon, claiming Arteta's side "expressed an interest" in signing the player. His future at Newcastle United is seemingly uncertain despite the fact he signed improved terms in late 2024.

The 24-year-old joined Newcastle from Everton for £45million in January 2023. Once a target for Liverpool, he is thought to command a fee in excess of £70m now. He has eight goals in 27 games so far this term for the Magpies in all competitions.

However, he appears content for now, telling the Premier League: “It’s probably been the best three years I’ve had in football and in life too - so it’s just a good time for me and my family. Hopefully there’s many more appearances and success here too."

William Saliba's transfer talk

Zubimendi's goal turned out to be the deciding factor on the night during the clash with Chelsea. The Spanish midfielder cost the Gunners £60m when he joined from Real Sociedad in July 2025, having previously been linked with Liverpool, reports the Mirror.

Star defender William Saliba was asked about his relatively new team-mate after the cup victory and confessed he is an excellent player and his transfer could help them clinch major titles.

He told CBS Sports: "We're happy to win. We know that it is never easy to come here and win. He [Zubimendi] is a very good player.

"He's never under pressure. You can give him the ball and he can have someone on his back and he never has the pressure. He's so good for us with and without the ball and today he showed that he can score as well.

"He's scored too many goals this season, to be honest, for a number six! So it's good to have him and I'm sure that he will help us a lot to win some titles."

Oleksandr Zinchenko decision nears

However, one of Saliba's other team-mates hasn't been relishing his time on the pitch recently. Oleksandr Zinchenko joined Arsenal in July 2022 for an initial £30m but in the following years found himself displaced at left-back.

Players like Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly meant the Ukrainian secured precious little game time under Arteta, leading to his loan departure in the summer of 2025.

Zinchenko moved to Nottingham Forest for this campaign, but has struggled to secure regular playing time with the club switching managers frequently. He appears out of favour with Sean Dyche and has only started four Premier League matches this season.

Given his peripheral role, BBC Sport reports Forest are mulling over terminating Zinchenko's loan arrangement early this month. It's understood there's no clause in the deal that would permit an early conclusion.

Arsenal's complete squad situation could further complicate things, and it's believed a verdict will be reached shortly concerning the defender's future at Nottingham.

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