Arsenal finished 2024 as it started: unbeatable and a goalscorer.
They closed the year on a run of eight wins and two draws in their last 10 games in all competitions and accumulated more points per game than any team in England's top four divisions, but two problems stand in their way of finally finishing with its title. drought.
The first is in the red half of Merseyside, with Liverpool nine points ahead of Arsenal with 18 games played each.
The other is the status of Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury, which required surgery and is a body blow for a team that was barely threatening to hit top speed after a faltering first few months of the season.
Arsenal probably needed another striker with or without Saka in the second half of the campaign, but in the absence of their main attacking threat, and with chances of winning titles in four competitions still, they will almost certainly need to go against the flow of the most. teams in recent years and bring in a top player in January.
Here, as part of our series on Premier League clubs' January transfer plans, our Arsenal expert Sami Mokbel answers the five big questions.
Arsenal finished 2024 with a run of eight wins and two draws in their last 10 games.
No team scored more points in the Premier League than Mikel Arteta's in 2024
Bukayo Saka underwent surgery last week for a torn hamstring that could keep him out until March
1. What do Arsenal need?
Mikel Arteta prioritizes a new attacker in the January window. There has been much speculation about whether Arsenal will look to keep their powder dry in January ahead of a big summer wave, but following Saka's surgery, Mail Sport understands the club are actively looking to sign a striker in the next month.
As you can imagine, the club has been inundated with calls from representatives offering their clients, following the news of Saka. For example, Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani, who has struggled to get playing time, has been offered to the Gunners.
Arsenal, and in particular Arteta, do not tend to deviate from their main objectives. But it is a case of necessity at the moment as they look to regain Liverpool's lead at the top of the table.
It is hoped this will see the club adopt a more open attitude should an opportunity arise. With Raheem Sterling and Neto already on loan from Premier League sides, Arsenal are unable to sign another top-class player on a temporary basis.
As well as replacing Saka, Arsenal want a new centre-forward and are considering a central midfielder, depending on how the futures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho develop; both have contracts that expire this summer.
But deals for a striker and a midfielder are considered to be executed in the summer window, with Arsenal's focus in January centered on a wide striker.
Disgraced PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani was offered to the Gunners this January
2. Do they have money to spend?
Yes, money will not be a problem. The Kroenkes have a history of financially backing their head coaches across all their sports teams and have spent heavily on acquisitions during Arteta's reign.
While compliance with profit and sustainability regulations remains a factor in terms of the level of spending, Arsenal falls within those limitations, meaning the restrictions you set on spending will be your own.
Since they want to strengthen their line of attack, that is good news. The best attackers are the most expensive players on the market, but fortunately Arsenal can afford the current price.
The Kroenkes have a history of financially supporting their head coaches across all of their sports teams. Pictured: Gunners owner Stan Kroenke.
3. What players are you interested in?
Athletic Bilbao striker Nico Williams is a long-term target, with the man who scored the first goal in the Euro 2024 final against England reportedly having a release clause of almost £50m, which is within Arsenal's budget.
However, there are doubts over whether the 22-year-old is willing to leave mid-season, amid interest from all of Europe's top clubs – Barcelona have been heavily linked in the past.
Bayern Munich's Leroy Sané is also of interest to Arsenal, but at 28 years old his capture would not be seen as a long-term investment and he plays regularly at the Allianz Arena.
Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler has admirers in the Emirates, but the Spanish club see the 19-year-old Turkish international as an important part of their future.
Like all major European clubs, Arsenal will be in the market for Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz once the German attacker decides to leave, but Wirtz will be able to choose clubs with Bayern, Real and Manchester City all interested.
In terms of a new No 9, Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are all of interest, but getting any of those aforementioned quartets over the line in January will prove difficult. Sesko turned down the Gunners in the summer because they told him they could not guarantee him a starting place, while Isak, Cunha and Mbeumo are vital to their clubs and near the peak of their value.
Athletic Bilbao striker Nico Williams is a long-term target and reportedly has a £50million release clause.
Newcastle's Alexander Isak is among the No. 9 targets, but it will be very difficult to lure him away from the Magpies mid-season.
4. Who could leave?
Injuries have left the squad stretched thin. In addition to Saka, there are Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Sterling, who have nursing problems.
Riccardo Calafiori, who is currently in good shape, is also in and out of knee problems that the club is managing. So don't expect big name departures in January.
Fabio Vieira's long-term future at the club is in doubt, with the club willing to listen to offers for the midfielder, but with Vieira on loan at Porto, the situation is unlikely to worsen in January.
Furthermore, left-back Nuno Tavares is also likely to leave at the end of the season. The 24-year-old defender is on loan at Lazio. Lazio has the obligation to sign Tavares permanently as long as certain conditions are met. Even if a full-time deal is not finalised, Arsenal will look to sell Tavares.
Marquinhos, who returns from a loan spell at Fluminense, is also free to leave. Kieran Tierney could also leave, with his contract up in the summer and linked with a return to his boyhood club Celtic.
Kieran Tierney has been linked with a return to his boyhood club Celtic as time ticks down on his contract at the Emirates.
5. What unexpected moves should fans be on the lookout for?
The emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly is certainly of interest to many in the FA. The 18-year-old midfielder turned left-back has been a rising star in recent weeks and is currently capped by England Under 19s, but his development in a problematic position for the national team has encouraged many at St George's Park.
The emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly in a problematic position for England has encouraged many at St George's Park.
A promotion to the England Under 21 team, should his recent promise continue, seems the next logical step for a player who also qualifies for Barbados through his grandparents and trained with the Caribbean island's first team when only I was 14 years old.
But English coaches certainly consider him an absolute future international.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and players like Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell without certificates to return to the team… who knows.
It will also be interesting to see if Arsenal look to shorten one of his Premier League loans to free up space. All indications are that there is currently no intention to send Sterling back to Chelsea, but depending on opportunities that arise, Neto's future could be reviewed.