Arsenal are currently sitting top of the Premier PINC League table, but Mikel Arteta seemingly believes his team requires strengthening to win the title. With the January transfer window approaching, the Gunners have been linked with Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz who is a long-term target for the North London club.

Luiz has been a key figure for Villa this season. Unai Emery’s team are just two points behind Arsenal and are widely considered top four contenders and Luiz is arguably their best player. There’s no suggestion Aston Villa want to sell the Brazilian midfielder, certainly not midway through the campaign.

The Gunners tried to sign Luiz last year with an offer of £25 million rejected by Aston Villa. Luiz subsequently put pen to paper on a new contract to tie him to Villa Park until 2026. This means Arsenal will likely have to pay a premium to land the 25-year-old who is now entering the peak years of his career.

Mikel Arteta has demonstrated a determination to improve his squad at every opportunity. Granit Xhaka enjoyed an excellent 2022/23 season, but was still moved on last summer to make way for Declan Rice who arrived in a Premier League-record transfer from West Ham in the summer transfer window.

Thomas Partey was also a key figure for the Gunners last season, but has been unavailable due to injury for much of the 2023/24 campaign to date. It’s been suggested the Ghanian could be sold to raise funds to sign a younger replacement, such as Luiz. He would make the Arsenal squad even stronger.

“He’s playing very good. He’s improved a lot, his commitment is amazing,” said Aston Villa manager Emery when asked about Luiz and his recent performances. “I am very happy with him and I want to keep him of course. I think he’s happy with us. He’s coming on with his national team. And his performance like today was amazing. I want him.”

Arsenal paid a Premier League premium to sign Rice from West Ham and they would have to do the same to sign Luiz from Aston Villa. Other clubs have looked around Europe to find value in the transfer market in other leagues, but the Gunners are bucking the trend by targeting proven Premier League performers.

Luiz would give Arsenal additional presence and physicality in the centre of the pitch. His signing would also be a statement of intent by the Gunners who are determined to win their first Premier League title since the days of Arsene Wenger. Luiz could push them closer to achieving that objective.