Arsenal have gone through some difficult times of late, but the January transfer window may provide the club with some relief as reports emerge that talks will soon commence to sign Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.
Perhaps the more positive news, however, is that Alexis Sanchez remains focused on seeing the Gunners improve, doing away with fears that he's already growing restless at Emirates Stadium.
Matt Dunham/Associated PressSince arriving from Barcelona in a £35 million deal over the summer, Sanchez has quickly risen to become a key component of Arsene Wenger's line-up, scoring eight of Arsenal's 19 Premier League goals this term.
A lack of results led to rumbles that Sanchez was "unhappy" in north London, per the Daily Star's Nick Lustig, but Bleacher Report's Guillem Balague spoke to the attacker (via Spanish newspaper AS), helping dismiss the rumours:
The football played here is really tough – it’s very difficult. It’s been a struggle to adapt. Out of all of the leagues I have played in, this is the toughest. I’m enjoying the challenge, but it’s anything but easy.
There's not such a great difference between the teams. The clubs at the bottom of the table can complicate matters for those at the top. Every game is decided by some small, minor details and I really love that – it keeps you alert, on your toes.
Little by little I am gaining the confidence of my team mates and we're getting to know each other better. At first I did struggle to understand them – to guess what spaces they would run into, their movements and what their gesturing meant. Now I know all of their virtues, I know more now what they are like and that makes me feel much more relaxed and allows me to enjoy my game more.
On the same day that those reports emerged linking Sanchez with a premature Arsenal exit, the Chilean international posted his first tweet, which again appeared designed with a message of loyalty:
The Gunners have won just four of their first 11 Premier League games this season and sit sixth in the table. Sanchez's swift development is easily the brightest note to come from an otherwise disappointing campaign thus far.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesThe club have managed clean sheets in three of those victories, but it's clear that deeper reserves in defence may be needed if any top-four dreams are to be realised this season.
And it's reported Wenger sees Smalling as a likeable back-up, having been linked with the centre-back over the summer.Fichajes.net (h/t Metro) reports talks are imminent: "The England international is a long-term target for Gunners boss ArseneWenger – who is desperate to add another defender in the new year. And amid talk that Smalling has been told he can leave OldTrafford, reports say Arsenal are set to begin talks over a switch."
The report states that United could part with their England international for a fee of £10 million, but with Louis van Gaal's side also struggling for a clean bill of health at the back, they may not be looking to sell.
Smalling was foolishly sent off in the Manchester derby at the beginning of November, drawing negative response from some critics, but WhoScored.com indicates he does have an impact on the side:
Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones have each suffered injuries this campaign, forcing the likes of Michael Carrick and youngster Paddy McNair into increased defensive responsibilities.
Smalling would join former Red Devil Danny Welbeck at the Emirates if he were to complete a switch, but with LaurentKoscielny and Per Mertesacker lurking, his first-team opportunities may not increase in the capital.
