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Arsenal transfer news: Unai Emery ‘lining people up’ for January spree - EXCLUSIVE
ARSENAL boss Unai Emery will already be making plans for the January transfer window, says Gunners legend Ray Parlour.
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Emery has enjoyed a promising start to life in his first season as Arsenal boss, that currently sees them fifth in the Premier League having lost just two matches.
The Spanish boss brought in five new players during his first transfer window in the summer as Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Matteo Guendouzi and Stephan Lichtsteiner all arrived through the door.
Emery’s arrivals have had a positive impact on the whole with some getting more game time than others.
But Parlour still reckons the former Sevilla boss should look to bring in another centre-back in January.
For me centre-half he could probably strengthen.
“I don't know. I really don't know,” Parlour told Express Sport when asked what signings Emery will be looking to make in the New Year.
“I’m sure they'll be positions he wants to.
“For me centre-half he could probably strengthen.
“But he's got [Laurent] Koscielny coming back, they've missed him, but he's a little bit older but I'm sure he's working hard to get back in the side so I think he'll assess the situation when it comes to January.
“He'll be lining people up anyway.”
One defender the Gunners have been linked with is Manchester United’s Eric Bailly.
The Ivory Coast international has not featured since being hooked after just 19 minutes in their 3-2 Premier League win over Newcastle back in October.
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Manchester United have shipped 21 Premier League goals already this season, with Bailly struggling alongside the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Victor Lindelof.
But Arsenal could be ready to offer the Ivorian a fresh start should Mourinho decide to axe him when the transfer window reopens.
However, Emery faces competition from Tottenham with Mauricio Pochettino also keen to reinforce his defensive options.