The Arsenal first team is filled with competition for many positions. A strong change-up from previous iterations of the squad that had far too much comfortability within it.
The arrivals of the six summer signings in addition to the rise of young talents such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe has left many of the Arsenal squad who were featuring regularly last season questioning their place in the side.
Nicolas Pepe, Bernd Leno, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin saw their places in the side filled. The latter made a quick decision to leave the club on loan to ensure that he would get regular minutes this season at Real Betis.
However, there remain a number of players who have been out of the spotlight for some time including Bosnian international Sead Kolasinac. Playing more for his national team than his club side this year, the 28-year-old is being touted with a January departure.
Premier League side Watford are said to hold an interest in the player who can provide support at both left-back and centre-back.
Claudio Ranieri will be trying hard to keep the Hornets in the league this season as the second half of the campaign provides an opportunity for newly enriched Newcastle United to spend big.
However, Arsenal may be encouraged to allow a smooth transfer for the player to Watford in order to establish a strong relationship between the clubs in case relegation does indeed occur at the end of the year.
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Arsenal have already benefitted from taking Aaron Ramsdale from relegated Sheffield United and could pull off the same trick to provide Mikel Arteta with a dream replacement for Pepe.
With the Ivorian confirmed by his manager not to be happy, his future could see him leave and open a gap for a competitive winger to join the club in the summer.
Watford’s Ismaila Sarr stands out as one of their best performers and his five goals in 12 league games for a struggling side shows that.
Currently out with a minor knee ligament issue, should Kolasinac join the club this winter, establishing lines between the two sides ahead of a summer move for Sarr could be a shrewd win for Edu.
The Senegalese international will require a significant fee but having been relegated once with his side, the likelihood of him remaining for another year in the Championship, considering his quality, would be slim. Were he to push for a move it could help the Gunners with a deal and lower the fee.
Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the past and should the player want to leave, Arsenal are sure to have competition. Even more of an incentive to build the relationship with Watford to secure an advantage.
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