Arsenal complete first January transfer deal as Mikel Arteta plans come together
Posted Wednesday, January 12, 2022 by Goal.com
ARSENAL have made their first signing of the transfer window.
Arsenal have reportedly signed West Brom wonderkid Lino Da Cruz Sousa in a big boost for Mikel Arteta's future plans. The 16-year-old was part of the Baggies' under-18, playing two years above his age group.
Arsenal have apparently completed their first signing of the window (Image: GETTY)
Football.london claim academy boss Per Mertesacker wanted a new left-back and the club moved to capture Lino Sousa.
The youngster is said to have already started training with his new squad and Gunners staff feel they have a star of the future on their hands.
It is highly unlikely Sousa, who is part Brazilian, will get any first-team minutes as Arteta has a wealth of options in Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares and Sead Kolasinac.
But in years to come Arteta is hopeful Sousa will break into the starting XI.
The Arsenal boss is expecting to strengthen his senior squad with a number of additions before the window shuts on January 31.
Lino Da Cruz Sousa has joined Arsenal from West Brom (Image: GETTY)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the club captaincy last year and the Gunners's next priority is to find someone to take over his goalscoring burden.
Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium but they will face competition from Manchester City and Tottenham.
Speaking about transfers over the weekend, Arteta said: "I think with the amount of things and the way we want to evolve the squad we have to maximise every window in every way.
"We are already, Edu and his team are working very hard because we know exactly what we need to do.
"Whether we can accomplish that in January or the summer is a different question related to other stuff. But we are there.
"Again if it’s the right player and we can afford it and we can do what we want to do, we will discuss and make the best possible decision. We are open."
Arsenal may also sign a new holding midfielder and Piers Morgan would like to see Jack Wilshere given another change with the club.
"Would love to see @JackWilshire back in an Arsenal shirt," he tweeted.
"Spoke to him recently and he’s fit, training well and desperate to get playing again.”
Arteta has been allowing Wilshere to train with the club to keep fit while he searches for a club.
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