Arsenal's first-team squad is almost certain to look a little different after the upcoming January transfer window following an injury to Gabriel Jesus.
The £45m signing from Manchester City last summer sustained medial ligament damage during Brazil's 1-0 World Cup defeat to Cameroon and after subsequently undergoing surgery, there are fears that he could now be out of action for up to three months, although a timeframe with regard to his spell on the sidelines is yet to be confirmed.
"No," Mikel Arteta responded when asked if he had a return date for the Brazilian following Arsenal's 3-0 win over Lyon in the Dubai Super Cup. "We know that he needed some intervention in the knee and we have to take day by day, week by week and see where that takes us."
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However, the Spaniard did reveal that contingency plans were going to have to be made ahead of the January transfer window: "What it affects is who we are as a team because he gives us so much," he added. "What we can do after that when we know the timescale better and we have when we can have him back we will look at the options and try to make the right decisions."
Since Arteta returned to Arsenal almost three years ago, the focus in January has largely been outgoings rather than incomings with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Shkodran Mustafi all agreeing to mutual contract terminations during the winter window.
But following Jesus' injury and Arteta being short of options in one or two key areas, all signs are pointing towards the north London outfit strengthening next month as they look to maintain a Premier League title push. In fact, football.london have reported that a wide player and central midfielder are the priority areas Arsenal are exploring amid interest in Shakhtar Donetsk ace Mykhalo Mudryk.
Should the Ukraine international and a midfielder both arrive at the Emirates Stadium in January, there could be a couple of members of the 24-strong Arsenal first-team squad that may in turn look to use the winter window as an opportunity to leave north London for pastures new and seek regular football for the second half of the season.
But who should be kept, sold, or loaned out in January? football.london assesses Arteta's squad below...
Goalkeepers
Aaron Ramsdale
The England international established himself as Arsenal's No.1 earlier than many expected last season and now has the shirt number to confirm this status. Ramsdale did have a rather slow-ish start to the campaign by his standards but has been consistent of late. KEEP
Matt Turner
Signed in the summer to provide competition, but mainly cover for Ramsdale, the USMNT has done an OK job when called upon in the Europa League and has a lot more work to do if he's to become Arsenal's number one in the near future. Still, he looks to be a capable back-up option. KEEP
Karl Hein
Officially promoted to the senior squad in the summer following Arthur Okonkwo's loan move to Crewe Alexandra. Has already made his debut - which didn't go as well as he would have liked - but it's unlikely that he will be sent out on loan to gain more experience in January as Arteta likes to have three goalkeeping options. KEEP
Defenders
Ben White
Moved out to right-back this season following the return of William Saliba despite forging a very good central defensive partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes after his £50m transfer last summer, Ben White has grown into his new role and pretty much made it his own. KEEP
Takehiro Tomiyasu
After joining Arsenal on deadline day in the summer of 2021, the Japan international adjusted to life in England pretty well, turning in consistent displays and was widely tipped to be the club's first-choice right-back for many years to come. However, fitness issues and White's form have changed that view somewhat.
Still extremely reliable when called upon and can even be used as a left-sided centre-back - where he plays for his national team - and at left-back, Takehiro Tomiyasu is a very good option to have in the squad. KEEP
Cedric Soares
football.london understands the experienced defender is attracting interest from Fulham, Villarreal and Bayer Leverkusen ahead of the January transfer window, thus leaving Arteta and Edu with a big decision to make especially as Cedric has struggled to get a look in so far this season.
With his contract expiring in the summer of 2024, the Gunners may find it difficult to resist cashing in on the 31-year-old at the earliest possible convenience if a good bid comes in, although a sale could be a huge risk, especially if Tomiyasu's fitness issues flare up again. SELL
William Saliba
This is a no-brainer. After a very impressive start to his Arsenal career - three years after joining the club from Saint-Etienne, the Frenchman could be a mainstay of the Gunners' defence for the next decade or so, but his contract situation needs to be sorted very soon. KEEP
Gabriel Magalhaes
Now into his third season at Arsenal, the Brazilian has made the left-sided centre-back spot his own and after recently signing a new contract, he won't be going anywhere for a while yet. KEEP
Rob Holding
Last season, he was the biggest casualty of White's arrival as well as Arsenal not having any European football as he slipped down the centre-back pecking order and opportunities for game time were reduced. Things have improved slightly this year as he has been a regular in the Europa League.
But with Saliba in great form, Rob Holding is effectively the fourth-choice centre-back and as there is always talk about his future around transfer season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him linked with an exit before and during the January window. Yet he is one to hold on to until the end of the campaign at least. KEEP
Kieran Tierney
Once regarded as Arsenal's undisputed option at left-back. Even though that's no longer the case, the fact he's only a year and a few months into his new long-term contract indicates he won't be going anywhere in January and there's still time to reclaim his spot. KEEP
Oleksandr Zinchenko
One of Arsenal's big signings in the summer, when fit, Oleksandr Zinchenko shows exactly why Arteta pushed so hard for his signature as he's so comfortable with the inverted style down the left flank and that's what gives him the advantage over Tierney at this point in time. KEEP
Midfielders
Thomas Partey
Without a doubt, Arsenal's best central midfielder when fit. Hopefully the injury setbacks are behind Thomas Partey as the Gunners have a better chance at winning the Premier League if he can be available for selection more often than not during the second half of the season. KEEP
Martin Odegaard
Only appointed as permanent captain in the summer and is on course for an impressive goalscoring season. KEEP
Emile Smith Rowe
If it wasn't for groin surgery, Emile Smith Rowe would have featured a lot more for Arsenal this season. With that said, he is eyeing a return after the World Cup and whilst it probably won't be until early 2023 for him to be at his best, it's certainly a huge boost for everyone. KEEP
Fabio Vieira
Fabio Vieira has suffered the effects of not having a pre-season as it's been difficult for him to get up to full speed and that's been evident in some of his performances. The fact that the club invested £34 million in him shows there's a plan in place and it's a case of giving him time. KEEP
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Now, one Arsenal fan, in particular, thinks the midfielder needs a loan spell with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong heading in the opposite direction. Whilst that is probably unlikely, Sambi Lokonga does need regular game time so a temporary move would be best for all parties especially if a new midfielder is signed. LOAN
Mohamed Elneny
One of the two first-team players currently at the club whose deals expire next June. The Gunners do have the option of extending Mohamed Elneny's stay by a further 12 months and it's likely a decision won't be made before January. KEEP
Granit Xhaka
It's funny to think that during the last major international tournament, Granit Xhaka was on his way out of Arsenal and not many supporters would have been sad to see him leave. That's not the case now as he's been one of the best midfielders in the league this season. KEEP
Forwards
Bukayo Saka
Interest in the 21-year-old is only going to grow at the rate he's developing and his performances at the World Cup just might make contract negotiations a bit more difficult. Therefore, it's imperative Arsenal get him signed to a new long-term deal as soon as possible. KEEP
Gabriel Jesus
The goals may have dried up following a flying start to his Arsenal career after joining from Manchester City in the summer, but the Brazil international has a lot of credit in the bank for how he's helped to transform the Gunners' attack. He could miss the whole of January as he recovers from knee surgery, not that he was ever in any danger of being sold. KEEP
Gabriel Martinelli
Another Arsenal player whose contract needs addressing. Luckily, Gabriel Martinelli has made it clear that he just needs a pen and he will commit his future to the club. KEEP
Eddie Nketiah
After forcing his way into the Arsenal team towards the end of last season and earning a new contract as well as the number 14 shirt, in the summer, it has been a return to being a backup player for Eddie Nketiah this term. He now has a chance to lead the line in Gabriel Jesus' absence. KEEP
Reiss Nelson
"Of course," Reiss Nelson told football.london when asked if he'd like to stay as his Arsenal contract expires at the end of the season. "I’ve been here since I was eight and Arsenal is all I know. I’m only a couple of minutes from the stadium, all my family is there. So of course I’d love to stay."
Initially, there was a suggestion that if Arsenal did end up signing a winger in January then the writing would on the wall for Nelson as he would need to leave in order to play regularly. There was also a case for the Gunners selling him regardless to avoid losing him for free in the summer.
However, a decision might be taken out of Arsenal's hands after the winger suffered a suspected hamstring injury during the 2-0 loss against Juventus. If he's sidelined for the entirety of next month then the club would be wise to extend his deal just to protect his value. KEEP.
Marquinhos
The teenager showed promise on his competitive debut for Arsenal against Zurich in the Europa League, but he's not quite at the level required to fill in for Saka and for that reason a loan spell in January would do wonders for his development. LOAN
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