Arsenal have started the season strongly and find themselves in a fantastic position to qualify for the Champions League, or better yet win the Premier League title, with the January transfer window right around the corner.
Currently top of the table and into the Europa League round of 16, as the campaign will pause after next weekend because of the winter World Cup in Qatar, attentions have already turned to how the Gunners can keep pace with Manchester City whilst also progressing in Europe.
Of course, one way is to bolster the squad and Mikel Arteta has already revealed what steps have been taken to capitalise: "The planning of that period is extremely difficult," he said. "First of all because we know the January window, how special it is, the opportunities that you have, the short window that you have.
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"Once you get the player they are straight away competing, so there is not an adaptation process. And obviously, with the position that we are in right now as well, it demands as well another level of player - and that player has to be available. We will look at everything and let's see what we can do"
Considering the backlog of fixtures to be played in 2023, squad rotation will be key and Arteta can't afford to be short of options in key areas and as per the Telegraph, plans have already been signed off by Josh Kroenke, son of owner Stan, on further reinforcements in the winter transfer window.
But what would represent the best-case January transfer window for Arsenal in terms of signings and potential player sales? Below football.london goes through what deals Arteta and club technical director Edu Gaspar must look to complete this winter.
Incomings
The aforementioned report states that signing a winger is Arsenal's top priority and they've been linked to a host of names. Financially, a move for Wilfried Zaha would make a lot of sense as he will be into the final six months of his contract at Crystal Palace so could be available at a cut-price fee.
Meanwhile, this week has seen strong links to Orlando City's Facundo Torres emerge as multiple reports state that the Gunners will soon hold talks with the representatives of the Uruguayan international who has scored nine goals and chipped in with eight assists across 33 appearances so far this season.
With that said, the big name doing the rounds at the minute is that of Mykhaylo Mudryk and football.london understands he was one of the names under consideration during the summer. Whether that's still the case remains to be seen but reports suggests the north London outfit would have to fork out £87m to complete a deal.
What dominated summer transfer deadline day for Arsenal was their pursuit of a central midfielder. They missed out on Douglas Luiz as Aston Villa rejected three offers and having signed a new contract recently, it would appear the chance of resurrecting this deal are slim to none.
One Gunners target whose situation hasn't changed is Youri Tielemans. He will soon enter the final months of his contract with Leicester City and similar to Zaha, could be available for a cut-price fee in January too. Although, football.london have previously reported that Edu was willing to wait until the summer to sign him for free.
Considering Mohamed Elneny is fit again and that Albert Sambi Lokonga can move further forward to rotate with Granit Xhaka, it would make sense for the Gunners to hold off until the summer for a midfield signing which also means delaying a deal for Palmeiras' Danilo.
Outgoings
Arsenal have a small squad as it is so it's difficult to envisage a scenario like last January where as many as six first-team players were allowed to leave whether that be permanently or on loan.
Although, if the Gunners are successful in signing a winger and Emile Smith Rowe's injury problems don't continue post-World Cup then it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to let Marquinhos leave on loan to aid his development as his lack of game time in recent weeks is rather telling.
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