Opinion: Lazio Should Target Arsenal Outcast This January Transfer Window

Lazio will be looking to improve on what has been a somewhat sluggish start to this year’s league campaign in Serie A. The Italian giants are floating around mid-table heading towards November, and they’ll be eager to turn around their inconsistent run of form at the earliest of opportunities. 

The January Transfer Window could make for interesting viewing for their supporters, as Maurizio Sarri could be tempted to dip into the market for potential new signings. Compared to the teams in the top-six of Serie A, Lazio have lacked that cutting edge in front of goal, although some might blame their lack of goals on their attacking options in wide areas, as Ciro Immobile has been starved of service at times in their matches so far this season. 

One player that Lazio should explore a deal for is Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson. The winger has been with the Gunners since 2007 and broke into the first-team squad in 2017. However, Nelson has found it tough to break into the starting XI regularly, which you’d imagine could be frustrating for the 23-year-old. However, considering that he’s relatively early into his professional career, a loan move could still benefit the Arsenal man. 

He’s already had loan spells with both 1899 Hoffenheim and Feyenoord early into his senior career, and Nelson has caught the eye for the right reasons in those temporary spells away from the Emirates Stadium. 

Competition for places is always welcome in any squad, and when Lazio are struggling to create chances for the likes of Ciro Immobile to finish off, you’d like to think that they’ll turn to reinforcements in the January Transfer Window. Nelson is contracted with Arsenal until the summer of 2027, so it seems as though Mikel Arteta is keen to have him in his plans for future seasons. 

When the winger isn’t featuring on a regular basis though, it begs the question as to whether his development in senior football would be best-served away from the Emirates Stadium. If a club with the stature that Lazio have were to come calling for his services on loan in the New Year, then it should be a no-brainer for Nelson to want to head to Stadio Olimpico, as they’re a club that could offer him regular game time at a high level in Serie A, as well as progressing him further as a player with consistent minutes. He’d offer Lazio much-needed pace and trickery in wide areas, which is exactly what they need right now. 

Lazio are also competing in this year’s Champions League, and have made a strong start, as they’re unbeaten from their opening two matches in the competition, having beaten Celtic, before drawing with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid on home soil not so long ago. We’ve learned from betting experts at mybettingsites.co.uk that Lazio are priced at 9/4 on Sky Bet to win Group E, which is the second favourite to win that group. Below, you’ll see the betting odds for the rest of the teams in Group E. 

• Atletico Madrid @ 8/13
• Feyenoord @ 5/1
• Celtic @ 28/1