23 January 2023 , 14:04
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Mikel Arteta is getting big money backing for Arsenal’s title bid.
The Gunners have agreed a £20m deal for Poland defender Jakub Kiwior and are trying to do a deal for Real Valladolid full-back Ivan Fresneda. That comes on top of their £27m signing of Leandro Trossard from Brighton while they are in the market for a January loan move for a midfielder to strengthen their squad for the title run-in.
Gunners boss Arteta moved for Spezia defender Kiwior after the 22-year-old was identified and then scouted with his stats and data making him one of the most promising centre-halves around.
They were also determined to get in quickly having missed out on Ukraine star Mykhaylo Mudryk who has ended up at Chelsea in a £90m move rather than Arsenal. The Gunners had tracked Mudryk for the past two transfer windows, Shakhtar Donetsk might have sold him for £30m last summer and this time they have moved early for Kiwior.
It is yet another example of shrewd transfer business from Arsenal and the joined-up thinking between their scouting department, technical director Edu and Arteta is a major factor in their title push. Kiwior is a left sided centre half who can bring the ball out of defence and will provide invaluable back-up for Gabriel.
Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured
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Leandro Trossard made his Arsenal debut vs Manchester United (Mark Leech/Getty Images)Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have also been eyeing Kiwior while the Germans have also made a bid for Fresneda to rival Arsenal.
It means Arsenal are determined to bolster their squad with an FA Cup trip to Manchester City on Friday and the demands of the Europa League fixture list still to come.
Arsenal hope to have Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus back in March and his return would be a major boost for the Gunners during the run-in. But with Eddie Nketiah scoring and increasing options through the squad, Arsenal look ready to maintain their title challenge for the long haul.