Arsenal are plotting a move for a standout Championship midfielder as they look to bolster their squad in the winter window.
As we approach the January transfer window, sides will have spent the first half of the season assessing their squad options. Mikel Arteta’s side is low on numbers in terms of squad depth, and recent weeks have shown that they require reinforcements.
Injuries to players like Martin Odegaard have hindered them before this international break, and they remain winless in their last four fixtures in the Premier League, as well as defeat in the Champions League at the hands of Inter Milan.
Arsenal plotting a move for Championship midfielder.
Shea Charles is enjoying a breakout season in the Championship this year, it seems, making himself a pivotal figure in Danny Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday team. The Northern Irishman has started every game this campaign for the Owls, scoring once and providing one assist for Rohl’s side.
During the international break, Charles bagged himself assists in each of Northern Ireland’s fixtures as they finished top of their Nations League group. The 21-year-old captained his side and has already won 23 caps for the senior side.
His performances on loan from bottom-placed Premier League side Southampton have not gone unnoticed by more than just his parent club, as Arteta has reportedly set his sights on the 21-year-old.
How would Charles fit in at Arsenal?
The midfielder shows a lot of potential, as shown by the fact that Southampton paid over £10 million for him, and that is on display while on loan.
However, his profile does suit the Gunners’ identity, who have one of the younger squads in the league. At 21 years old, he would be someone Arteta feels is ready for the first team immediately, or at least an option, with stars like Bukayo Saka having performed at the highest level for some time now.
Charles could fit into first-team plans, with players like Jorginho ageing and Thomas Partey just one player facing an uncertain future at the Emirates Stadium. Declan Rice’s role is an issue that has arisen; he does not seem to play comfortably as a defensive midfielder, somewhere Charles can play, allowing Rice to play a more forward role.
Arsenal target might not be at Hillsborough come January.
With Arsenal targeting a move for Charles, it is uncertain when that may materialise if they ever come in for the 21-year-old. After their promotion last year, the Saints sent the midfielder on loan to the second tier to gain some invaluable experience.
Southampton currently sit bottom of the Premier League, meaning that the strugglers could be considering recalling Charles from the Owls to try and gain an advantage over the teams around them. They are already considering making changes within the club, with Russell Martin’s future in the balance.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl has dropped hints that the midfielder might not be at Hillsborough in the second half of this season. This would leave the Owls at a disadvantage, and they would struggle to find a replacement of his calibre.
That does not necessarily mean Arsenal come in for the Southampton man this summer, but the Gunners could do with backup in the January window. One department they would require that the most is the midfield. Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich has been rumoured to be a target for the Gunners but there are others in the race.
The loss of Martin Odegaard could not have come at a worse time, as Declan Rice was also suspended. The Norwegian may be back from his injury, but Rice is now injured, leaving another hole to fill in the team. However, Arteta cannot allow himself to be distracted from the fact that they need a striker.