Reading have had a remarkably good start to life under new manager Jaap Stam and currently find themselves flying high in fifth place in the Sky Bet Championship, after picking up seven wins from the opening 15 league games.

The former Ajax and Manchester United centre half, Stam has brought a brilliant possession based style of football to the Madejski Stadium, and has seen his side reap the rewards of it so far this season.

The January transfer window is fast approaching and it is time for us to take a closer look at potential signings the Royals could potentially make.

Top Premier League clubs such as Arsenal have an abundance of young talent in their reserve and youth teams, and this is something that Football League clubs should look to tap into to.

Therefore, this article is going to take a look at TWO players that Reading should look to poach from Arsenal in January...

 

Chuba Akpom - Loan

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Young frontman Chuba Akpom is someone who Reading could look to pluck on loan from Arsenal in January, to bolster their strike force for the second half of this Sky Bet Championship season.

Akpom is no stranger to the Championship after spending the whole of last season on loan at Hull City, for whom he made a total of 42 appearances, scoring 7 goals in the process.

He has also previously spent time on loan with Nottingham Forest as well as Coventry City and Brentford in League One.

The 21-year-old is highly rated and has been capped by England at under 16, 17, 19, 20 and under 21 level.

The forward is quick, strong and very direct, he has excellent movement off he ball and of course is very comfortable in possession of the football as all Arsenal academy graduates are.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles - Loan

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19-year-old midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles is rated very highly by all down at the Emirates Stadium and has already played 6 timed for the club's senior team, with 2 of those appearances coming in the Premier League.

The youngman spent last year gaining first team experience on loan at Ipswich Town where he made over 30 appearances, scoring twice in the process.

Another spell in the 2nd tier could be just what he needs to help him grow as a player, and a great place for him to go and earn his spurs would be Reading FC under the management of Jaap Stam.

Maitland-Niles plays predominantly as a winger but can also play in the centre of midfield as well as in a number 10 role behind the striker.

He is technically excellent and could prove to be a real asset to the Reading squad.