Arsenal plot William Carvalho move in January

Arsenal are prepared to make a move for Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho during the January transfer window.

The Portuguese international, 29, was close to leaving Real Betis over the summer but eventually remained at the club and has fought his way back in Manuel Pellegrini’s plans in the opening weeks of the new La Liga season. He has made eight La Liga appearances to date, including coming off the bench to help Real Betis win 3-2 against Rayo Vallecano over the weekend.

William Carvalho has played a key role in Manuel Pellegrini’s rotation policy, current competing with the Argentinean Guido Rodriguez at the heart of Betis midfield. The 29-year-old defensive midfielder’s performances have caught the eye of Arsenal as they consider making a bid for him in January, though Betis will be reluctant to sell one of their most in-form players in midst of the campaign. Norwich City were also interested to bring William Carvalho in the last transfer window, but he has decided to stay in Betis.

The Gunners have made a strong comeback after losing their first three games of the season and currently lie 10^th on the Premier League table. They have won three out of their last five league games, with the recent coming at the expense of Aston Villa in an exhilarating display at the Emirates Stadium last week.

Mikel Arteta eyeing January reinforcements

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has already started planning for reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window. Granit Xhaka’s long-term injury has left Arteta with a lack of options in the middle of the park.

Albert Sambi Lokonga is adapting to the Premier League following his summer move from Belgian club Anderlecht, while Thomas Partey has recently returned from an ankle ligament injury. Plus, Partey along with Mohamed Elneny will leave for the AFCON tournament in January, meaning Arteta will potentially have limited midfield options for the second half of the season.

William Carvalho would be a good fit at the Emirates Stadium

To put things into perspective, the Gunners making a move for William Carvalho could go a long way towards sorting out problems relating to a lack of quality and depth in the middle of the park.

William has been one of the top performers for Betis this season. Pellegrini has used the Portuguese international intelligently in the midfield with the holding midfielder cutting down opposition attacks with ease, thereby making the job easier for their defenders.

The former Sporting Lisbon star is a highly experienced player with top European pedigree and he would fit well into Arteta’s squad. He may have not lived up to the expectations at Betis since arriving a couple of years ago but it certainly won’t be a bad idea for Arsenal to make a move for his signature in January, given that the existing midfield unit just hasn’t done enough this season.

It is a no-brainer that the Gunners would be in dire need of reinforcing the midfield area in January and William, who has the versatility to play as both a No.6 and a No.8, looks like a player in his prime that could well prove to be the inspiration that they need to challenge for a European spot this term.