When the 2022/23 season kicked off on August 5, not many would have envisioned Arsenal sitting at the top of the Premier League in November. The 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace was the perfect start to Mikel Arteta's third campaign as boss but it's only got better.
The Gunners have won 11 of their 13 Premier League games and find themselves two points above Manchester City after last weekend's 1-0 win over London rivals Chelsea. Arteta's men have fired on all cylinders this season, with them surpassing their Europa League group with little trouble, and have emerged as surprise title challengers.
Praise must fall on to the lap of Arteta and technical director Edu for their business conducted over the previous two years. But the quality on the pitch has been a telling factor, with plenty of players a key cog in the Gunners' transformation.
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Saturday's trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers is Arsenal's last competitive fixture until Boxing Day due to the unusual mid-season break for the World Cup. There will be plenty of north London representatives in Qatar - Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have already been named in their nation's squad - but the tournament provides Edu with food for thought ahead of the January transfer window.
Over the last few months, reports have stated that the Gunners wanted a new midfielder and winger to add back-up to the likes of Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka and Jesus. Young Brazilian star Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira were brought in for both positions, but are considered more for the future.
However, the World Cup is set to provide the Arsenal hierarchy with a fresh priority. With the Gunners set to battle in four competitions in 2023, quality in depth must be the requirement - especially in attack.
Saka is due to be named in Gareth Southgate's England squad on Thursday, joining Martinelli and Jesus in the Middle east All three of Arteta's forward line are set to maintain their heavy schedule after featuring in 18 - Saka with 19 - of Arsenal's 19 games this season.
With no warm training camp and a chance to recharge the batteries for the trio, a look at another attacking option must be on Edu's radar. The Gunners' main priority will be to secure Champions League football following last season's collapse. One injury could derail all the hard yards put in in the first half of the season, but adding another face into Arteta's squad will relax any fears of that.
Two players who have been linked frequently are Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhaylo Mudryk and Lille's Jonathan David. Mudryk has been on Arsenal's radar for a few months now and has only seen his stock rise with his performances throughout the Champions League group. David, who has also been linked with Tottenham, has re-discovered his form since August with nine goals in 14 Ligue 1 appearances.
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