5 targets on Arsenal's transfer wishlist and player who could leave with Myles Lewis-Skelly

There could be a number of new arrivals and departures at Arsenal this month as Mikel Arteta attempts to shore up his squad for the run-in

It could be a busier-than-expected January for Arsenal. Following their lavish summer recruitment drive, Mikel Arteta will have been hoping for a quietish first month of 2026.

But the delicate state of the Gunners' title challenge and a spate of injuries have forced the club's hand. Addressing his approach to January recently, Arteta admitted the club could be active.

He said: "The window is there and I mean we are Arsenal and we have to be looking at it – 'Okay, what do we need?' And we have to be actively looking and then, whether we can do it or not, that’s a different story.

"But our job is to always be very prepared because something can happen, so hopefully it’ll be very positive." With that in mind, Football.London examines which players could potentially arrive and depart this month and beyond...

Potential arrivals

Arsenal could revive their interest in promising Stade Rennais central defender Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old was linked with the Gunners in the summer and additional back-up in the heart of defence would be handy given Gabriel and William Saliba have both spent time out this season.

Staying in defence, Arsenal have scouted AC Milan full-back Davide Bartesaghi, reports Sky Sports, a player who has been likened to Italian great Paolo Maldini. As for midfielders, Elche's Spanish midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, 20, is said to be on the Gunners' radar.

Further up the pitch, with Antoine Semenyo seemingly heading to Manchester City, the Gunners still have a firm interest in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Jean-Matteo Bahoya , 20, according to reports in Germany.

Meanwhile, the club continue to be linked with Juventus starlet Kenan Yildiz, whose contract stalemate with the Turin giants has alerted a host of European heavyweights.

Potential departures

It would be no surprise if Ethan Nwaneri leaves for pastures new this month following his shortage of game time. After making 26 appearances last season, the 18-year-old would have been expecting to kick on this term.

However, his passage to the first team has been blocked by summer arrivals like Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, while Martin Odegaard's return to fitness blocks another potential route into the side.

Arsenal have been braced for interest in Nwaneri, with a loan move to a side lower down the Premier League a potential option.

Another player who could be on the move is Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has also played less than he would have liked this season. Again, there has been interest from elsewhere, both domestically and from abroad. However, given the Gunners' defensive injury issues, Arteta may want to keep the youngster around, at least for now.