AL KHOR, QATAR - DECEMBER 14: Randal Kolo Muani of France celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between France and Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)
3 World Cup stars Arsenal should target in January
by Kenneth Daly
Drama, giant killings and a GOAT coronation.
For four magical weeks, the 2022 Qatar World Cup truly gripped the football imagination, and it culminated in an extraordinary final that cemented its status as one of the tournament’s greatest editions.
A hallmark of this quadrennial event, the international ensemble saw a host of unfamiliar names come into the sporting spotlight and produce some special individual performances that will give teams lots to think about ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
It is likely the Arsenal hierarchy kept a keen eye on Middle East proceedings as we look to bolster our options in central midfield, while an extra forward will also be in demand to try to ease the blow of Gabriel Jesus’ lengthy absence.
3 World Cup stars Arsenal should target in January
Mikel Arteta confirmed last week that the club will be “very active” in the winter market, and here are three World Cup stars who could feature highly on his Christmas wish-list.
1. Randal Kolo Muani (France)
13 – Coming off the bench in the 41st minute, Randal Kolo Muani won 13 duels in this final, at least four more than any other player. This is the highest total in a World Cup final since Gennaro Gattuso in 2006 (17). Soldier. #ARGFRA pic.twitter.com/dVdkw2ZQ1a
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) December 18, 2022
It was only thanks to a last-minute Christopher Nkunku injury that Kolo Muani even made the Qatari spectacle, but the youngster was left unfazed by the occasion and took his opportunity in style.
Despite his imposing 6ft 2in frame, Muani is a quick, skilful attacker who has featured out wide at domestic level and can make dynamic runs to help stretch opposition defences. The Frankfurt man also boasts Jesus-like strength on the ball, presses from the front and has proven extremely effective when combining with pacey teammates in the channels – a quality that would serve him well in north London.
His various talents have drawn admiration from senior figures at the Bundesliga outfit and even from France head coach Didier Deschamps, who once described how Kolo Muani has a “presence about him” that could be of benefit as his career develops.
Five goals and ten assists this league season certify his electric start to life in Germany following a summer move, and any further success will surely invite a big offer in the near future.
Continued on the next slide…
#ARGFRA</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/12/24/3-world-cup-stars-arsenal-should-target-in-january/"https://t.co/dVdkw2ZQ1a">pic.twitter.com/dVdkw2ZQ1a
<p>— OptaJean (@OptaJean) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/12/24/3-world-cup-stars-arsenal-should-target-in-january/"https://twitter.com/OptaJean/status/1604528256740659201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>December 18, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>It was only thanks to a last-minute Christopher Nkunku injury that Kolo Muani even made the Qatari spectacle, but the youngster was left unfazed by the occasion and took his opportunity in style.</p>
<p>Despite his imposing 6ft 2in frame, Muani is a quick, skilful attacker who has featured out wide at domestic level and can make dynamic runs to help stretch opposition defences. The Frankfurt man also boasts Jesus-like strength on the ball, presses from the front and has proven extremely effective when combining with pacey teammates in the channels – a quality that would serve him well in north London.</p>
<p>His various talents have drawn admiration from senior figures at the Bundesliga outfit and even from France head coach Didier Deschamps, who once described how Kolo Muani has a “presence about him” that could be of benefit as his career develops.</p>
<p>Five goals and ten assists this league season certify his electric start to life in Germany following a summer move, and any further success will surely invite a big offer in the near future.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/12/24/3-world-cup-stars-arsenal-should-target-in-january/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 World Cup star to target </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2><strong>2. Ángelo Preciado (Ecuador)</strong></h2>
<div id="attachment_131337" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-131337" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/12/24/3-world-cup-stars-arsenal-should-target-in-january/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2242,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1445752220.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2242" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1445752220.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1445752220-768x538.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Angelo Preciado impressed during the group stage with Ecuador. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Although they suffered the heartbreak of group-stage elimination, Ecuador still impressed observers in Qatar and Preciado is one of many who will no doubt attract interest in the coming weeks.</p>
<p>The 24-year-old is a right-back by trade, but his contributions at the World Cup were most apparent in the final third. He displayed abundant enthusiasm and bravery to constantly bound down the touchline, and complemented his bustling energy with both technical ability and strong end product, as demonstrated by an excellent assist in La Tri’s opening-day win against the hosts.</p>
<p>A 2020 transfer to Genk marked Preciado’s first venture outside his homeland and he is still untested at the highest level. However, rumours indicate <a title="Arsenal Transfers: Cedric attracting interest ahead of potential January move" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/12/24/3-world-cup-stars-arsenal-should-target-in-january/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/11/17/arsenal-cedric-attracting-interest-ahead-potential-january-move/" rel="">Cédric Soares could be on his way out of Arsenal next mont</a>h and it seems the Ecuadorian has the basic skillset to take his place.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/12/24/3-world-cup-stars-arsenal-should-target-in-january/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 World Cup star to target </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2><strong>3. Youssouf Fofana (France)</strong></h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-131336" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/12/24/3-world-cup-stars-arsenal-should-target-in-january/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1451715719.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1451715719.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1451715719-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal could be in the market for a midfielder this winter. (Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Back to the fallen champions now and while he won’t win quite the same plaudits as Kylian Mbappe, Youssouf Fofana certainly played his part in getting Les Bleus to a second successive World Cup final.</p>
<p>Often brought on from the bench, Fofana was tasked with completing the unglamorous work in the middle of the park and used his immense physicality – as well as terrific anticipation – to come out on top in several duels.</p>
<p>However, there is so much more to the Frenchman’s game as he carries a notable offensive threat too. He uses an incredible work ethic to drift into forward areas to provide options and can thread passes in behind the defence, while nifty footwork makes him almost impossible to close down – a key attribute for any team that builds from the back.</p>
<p>Being the linchpin of a Monaco side targeting Europa League glory, Fofana will probably not be prised away from Ligue 1 in January, but a contract-expiry date of 2024 means another opportunity could arrive further down the line.</p>
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<p>Could he be the heir to Thomas Partey’s throne?</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
