Gunners eye second United raid in four-man January swoop.
Arsenal are ready to follow up their summer signing of Danny Welbeck with another raid on Manchester United this January, with England defender Chris Smalling supposedly one of Arsene Wenger’s top targets.
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The Red Devils flop is a surprise name on the Gunners’ main list of targets, with includes two other defenders and a Premier League-based midfielder who has been in superb form this season, having initially been linked with the club back in the summer.
1) Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
With Smalling likely to be allowed to leave Old Trafford after a poor start to the season, culminating in his needless sending off in last weekend’s crucial away game at rivals Manchester City, it seems that Arsenal will attempt to pounce for him on the cheap as Wenger looks for a player who can fill in at both centre-back and right-back for his team, which is short of depth in several key areas in the back four.
The former Fulham man may not be the most popular choice for Arsenal fans, but he could make a decent squad player for the club particularly as they undergo something of an injury crisis this season.
2) Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
Another Premier League-based defender, Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar could be available on a cut-price deal as he stalls on signing a new contract in the final year of his current deal at Villa Park. Arsenal were first linked with the Dutch international in the summer and he could make a good addition at centre-back for a potential bargain price.
3) Virgil van Dijk (Celtic)
A player catching the eye at Celtic, Arsenal are known to be fans of Virgil van Dijk after being linked with him during the summer, and it could be that they will look to him again this January as they look for defensive players to aid their issues in that position.
4) Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
Finally, Arsenal are ready to revive their interest in Southampton’s superb defensive midfield player Morgan Schneiderlin this winter. The French international has really looked the part this season in Ronald Koeman’s impressive side, and could be just the player Arsenal need in that part of the pitch as they look for an upgrade on the likes of Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.
Source: Daily Mirror.