The business that Arsenal conduct in the January transfer window has potential to be some of the most rewarding in the club's history. Mikel Arteta and Edu have an opportunity to bolster the current Gunners squad ahead of a potential first Premier League title win in 18 years whilst putting in the building blocks for the future.
The north Londoners have been rather successful in the previous two transfer windows with many young and hungry players added to Arteta's squad. The pattern of quality players with mass potential to fill has, so far, reaped the rewards.
football.london understands a new winger and central midfielder is the priority for Arsenal next month. It's also expected that a new striker may be recruited following Gabriel Jesus' injury to his right knee.
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Arsenal are not renowned for their business in the winter. It's regularly been loan incomings and the odd permanent signing with the onus on the summer window to recruit. However, with the wider point of view of a potential league title win, the Gunners are in serious contention to take a stride forward this winter.
With that in mind, here's how the Gunners could line-up in the near future.
Aaron Ramsdale
Since his move from Sheffield United, Ramsdale has solidified himself as Arteta's number one. His arrival forced Bernd Leno out of the door in the summer and his ability has been portrayed in between the sticks. The goalkeeper position is one that isn't expected to change in the future with Ramsdale only 24.
Ben White
Signed as a centre-back, the England international has become undroppable this season. White has covered for Takehiro Tomiyasu and has put in a number of solid performances. Whilst he's not an out-and-out wing-back, his defensive ability isn't to be questioned.
William Saliba
Three players in and you're probably already noticing a trend here. All young and driven individuals who have arrived at the club and hit the ground running. Saliba returned from his loan spell with Marseille and has been an important member of the Gunners back four. It's almost certain that he'll be a regular member of the Arsenal squad in years to come.
Gabriel
Naturally left-footed, Gabriel's relationship with Saliba has been pivotal in Arsenal's rise to the top of the Premier League. The Brazilian was unfortunate not to receive a call-up for Brazil's World Cup campaign, but comes into the return of Premier League football fully recharged.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
A different type of signing from Edu, Zinchenko arrived in the summer with plenty of experience after winning countless trophies during his time at Manchester City. He's had his time hindered by injuries since the move but should the Gunners win their first title in 18 years, he will be pivotal.
Granit Xhaka
As well documented this season, Xhaka's resurgence at the football club has been aspiring. The Switzerland midfielder has become one of Arteta's key players in the middle of the park and has also started adding goals to his game. Capable of playing in a deeper role or as a box-to-box, Xhaka holds the position down rather well.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
The first new signing in this team, midfielder Milinkovic-Savic slots in alongside Xhaka as the deep-lying playmaker of Arteta's system. Similar to Xhaka, the Serbian knows where the goal is but is one of the best in the world at pulling strings from deep.
Mykhaylo Mudryk
It feels it's a case of when, not if Mudryk will join the club. If not next month but in the summer, Mudryk ticks all the boxes for what Arsenal seek in one of their wingers. He'll face stiff competition in the position but his quality, and possible £90m price tag, would be enough for him to slot in on the left wing.
Martin Odegaard
Possibly the most important player in the Gunners' 4-2-3-1. Odegaard has provided a number of vital goals this season and has stripped the responsibility off the likes of Bukayo Saka with his key moments. It's not just goals that he offers, Odegaard brings so much off the ball and often drops into midfield when out of possession to form a 4-3-3.
Bukayo Saka
The north London starboy and quite possibly the player guaranteed to start for Arsenal for years to come. Whilst there remains uncertainty over his future and Manchester City swooping in, Saka has just improved game-by-game and is enjoying his best season of his career. Adding more goals to his game, the England international showcased his magic and dynamism at the World Cup and will be key for the Gunners in future.
Gabriel Jesus
Jesus has brought the Brazilian samba to the Emirates Stadium this season and if it weren't for the surgery needed on his right knee, he would play a key role in the second half of the season. However, his ability to score goals and play the false 9 role so well makes him irreplaceable, despite links to new strikers.
More than capable of leading the line for the Gunners, Jesus came under criticism prior to his injury due to his lack of goals. But his contribution to the rest of the team can not be misunderstood and he will be vitally missed in the coming months.
Arsenal dream XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Milinkovic-Savic; Mudryk, Odegaard, Saka; Jesus
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