Soccer / arthur melo

With the prevailing injury and Covid problems in the Arsenal midfield, plus the exit of Thomas Partey and Mohammed Elneny to the ongoing African Cup of Nations, a signing in midfield has become a top priority for Arsenal. Thus they have focused their gaze on a player in Italy,employed by Juventus— the Brazilian, Arthur Melo. Arsenal are ready to sign Arthur on loan for the rest of this season. Mikel Arteta has been a huge admirer of the skillful pint-sized, 25-year-old Arthur and has monitored him over the last few seasons. SunSport understands Juventus don't mind the Brazilian leaving, just that they want to sign a replacement first. The player too is ready, ready to fly in next week to seal up the deal. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that discussions are going on between both clubs and Arthur's agent, with Arsenal ready to pay the player's wages in full. The only snag being that,quite reasonably, Juventus are looking out for a replacement player, then they can sanction the deal. This becomes all the more important to them as ex-Arsenal star midfilder, Aaron Ramsey also is looking for a way out of Juve this January. Arthur, an ex-Barca star has the urgent matter of the World Cup on his mind and regular football is the pill he needs to swallow, to be able to be considered by Brazil for this year's edition in Qatar. He joined the Old Lady(Juventus) from Barcelona in 2020 as part of a £66m deal which included Miralem Pjanic going the opposite direction. Arteta will be missing Granit Xhaka for the next three games, as due discipline by the rule of law, after his reckless red card at Liverpool on Thursday night. With Odegaard out owing to Covid and Smith Rowe injured(though hopefully should be fit in time for the coming derby) that leaves Arteta short, with only Albert Sambi Lokonga and youngster Charlie Patino as their only two central midfield choices. On the horizon is a crunch North London derby versus sworn enemies Tottenham, to take place in two days time– Sunday. I think Arthur must mellow now hoping that things work out quickly in his favour. Cheers