Arsenal overhaul squad: Gabriel Jesus and two prodigies could leave.
Sporting director Andrea Berta is expected to carry out a major overhaul at Emirates in January, with Gabriel Jesus and the talented young duo of Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly among the players being considered.
With the January 2026 transfer window fast approaching, Arsenal are facing crucial personnel decisions. After six years in charge, Mikel Arteta is still searching for his next major trophy following the 2020 FA Cup victory. Consistently finishing second in the Premier League has created immense pressure, forcing Sporting Director Andrea Berta to strategize and create momentum for the final stages of the season.
The economic and strategic problem named Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus's situation is one of the most controversial issues at Emirates right now. At 28 years old and with only about 18 months left on his contract, the Brazilian striker is putting Arsenal's management in a difficult position. Although he is maintaining healthy competition with Viktor Gyokeres, Jesus's transfer value is predicted to gradually decrease over time if his contract is not extended.
Arsenal needs to make a decisive decision: whether to keep him for the title race or accept the departure of a key player to recoup investment and reinvest. This is not just a matter of professional performance, but also a financial balancing act to prepare for longer-term goals under Andrea Berta.
The fear of losing the rough gems.
Besides the first-team stars, the future of young players is also a hot topic. Ethan Nwaneri, at 18, is going through a difficult period after signing a long-term contract in the summer. Frequent benching and a lack of playing time in the Premier League have led the midfielder to proactively request participation in closed-door friendlies to maintain his match fitness. If Arteta cannot guarantee him playing time in the FA Cup, the prospect of Nwaneri seeking a new club is entirely possible.
Similarly, Myles Lewis-Skelly is in a paradoxical situation: having experienced the Champions League atmosphere, he has been completely absent from domestic competitions. Pressure from the national team is only exacerbating the tension. England manager Thomas Tuchel has warned that a lack of playing time could see Lewis-Skelly left out of his plans for the upcoming World Cup.
Heading towards the decision-making stage
The decisions made in the January transfer window will directly shape Arsenal's ambitions for the remainder of the season. A squad overhaul would not only streamline the team but also open up opportunities to recruit new players who fit Arteta and Berta's philosophy. Fans are waiting to see whether Arsenal will risk keeping the core squad or undertake a personnel revolution mid-season.
