Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may have discovered ideal transfer solution in Newcastle win

Arsenal v Newcastle: Match in pictures

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta indicated earlier this month where he wanted to improve his squad in the January transfer window and he may have found his answer in the win over Newcastle on Monday. Arsenal look as though they’ve rediscovered their best form with the forward players also getting back on the scoresheet.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s form had been of some concern to Arsenal fans, but he bagged a brace in the victory over Newcastle.

Alexandre Lacazette has also been in excellent form of late with Arsenal scoring 11 goals in their last five league matches.

There have been rumours suggesting that Arsenal are still looking to bolster their attacking options this month with Norwich’s Emi Buendia reportedly a top target.

But more urgent on the agenda for Arsenal is bringing in another goalkeeper with Arteta confirming earlier this month that replacing Matt Macey was a top priority amid suggestions Runar Alex Runarsson could be loaned out.

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“We are assessing the situation with the three positions on the goalkeeping area and we will find a different solution, probably in this window,” Arteta said.

“We are assessing what is going to happen with the three positions, the discussion we had in the summer within the club are a little bit different to what actually happened because of the transfer window and the situation that developed with Emi.

“We didn’t have much time to do what we really wanted to do and we decided to assess the situation in this window which is what we are trying to do and we will make a decision on how we want to move forward in those three positions.”

Arsenal did have two top quality options in goal last season with Emi Martinez impressing while deputising for Bernd Leno.

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The German returned to full fitness at the start of the season though with Arteta opting to stick with Leno as his No 1 despite Martinez’s heroics at the end of last season.

Arsenal then agreed to sell Martinez to Aston Villa with the 28-year-old wanting regular first-team football.

And Runarsson was signed as his replacement, but the 25-year-old has failed to impress.

Quality goalkeepers are hard to find in any transfer window with teams reluctant to sell, but Arsenal may well have found an ideal target in Newcastle’s Karl Darlow.

The Magpies shot-stopper has been on the books at Newcastle for six years but has only become a first-team regular in the Premier League this season with Martin Dubravka out injured since the end of the last campaign.

Dubravka is now back fit and available for Steve Bruce, putting Darlow’s place in the starting line-up in jeopardy.

But the 30-year-old has put in some excellent performances this season, including the 0-0 draw against Liverpool last month.

Darlow recently signed a long-term deal with Newcastle, but Arsenal could well tempt him for a move down south with the opportunity to play in Europe.

It would solve an immediate issue for Arteta with the Arsenal boss not able to trust Runarsson. And Darlow has proven more than capable in the Premier League.

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