Next Arsenal transfer decided as Mikel Arteta hatches early January loan plan - football.london

Arsenal have reportedly decided they want to loan out Under-21s midfielder Michal Rosiak, with Championship clubs said to be queueing up to sign him.

That is according to The Sun's Alan Nixon, who say the Gunners are keen to secure him the regular first-team experience he would otherwise find difficult to come by in North London with Mikel Arteta's team fighting to stay in the Premier League title race.

At 19 years of age, the Poland youth international joined Arsenal in 2018 and in April 2023 signed his first professional contract. Able to play as a defensive midfielder or anywhere across the back four, he has impressed academy bosses and quickly climbed the ranks to the Under-21s.

So far this term he has made eight Premier League 2 appearances with two goals scored, three UEFA Youth League appearances with one assist, and has played twice in the EFL Trophy against Leyton Orient and MK Dons. As alluded to, Arteta's senior team now find themselves seven points adrift of the Premier League's lead, are competing for Champions League progression from the League Phase and then have made it through to the latter stages of the Carabao Cup.

Perhaps further injuries may open up a spot in the team, though the boss won't wish to place such weight of hope on a youngster's shoulders. This would leave the only realistic opportunity for first-team experience this season the early rounds of the FA Cup in the new year.

So a loan to a lower-tier outfit is decided as the most beneficial for the Rosiak. He is said to have piqued the interest of numerous Championship teams, with Blackburn Rovers named specifically after their scouts were impressed recently.

A transfer could be secured as soon as the upcoming January transfer window, for at least the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.