Arsenal endured a frustrating end to the January transfer window, despite being linked with a plethora of names.
The most eye-catching transfer was an out-going one., with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving the north London club, signing on a free transfer with Barcelona, leaving the Gunners light in attack.
The Gabon star wasn’t the only player to depart the Emirates last month; Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Florin Balogun were loaned out to Roma and Middlesbrough, respectively, while Saed Kolasinac joined Marseille on a free transfer.
A number of other stars including Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers also departed the club, leaving Arsenal with a threadbare squad.
The Gunners will undoubtedly save money on wages which could go towards summer signings, but are still in the midst of a battle to finish in the top four.
With that in mind football.london looks at the five players Arsenal simply cannot do without in their quest for Champions League football.
Alexandre Lacazette
The Frenchman’s importance to the club has heightened due to Aubameyang’s departure.
The Gunners are particularly light up front, with Eddie Nketiah the only other senior striker at the club, but the 22-year-old is still unproven at Premier League level.
Lacazette has only scored five goals across all competitions this season, but his leadership and experience are essential to this young Arsenal side.
The Gunners top four hopes effectively rest on his shoulders.
Benjamin White
White is forging a promising partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence, but following the departures of Mari and Chambers they lack depth in this area.
Should the former Brighton star pick up an injury, Rob Holding would be the club's only other senior centre-back.
It could prove to be a costly error for the Gunners to allow so many defenders to leave the club, without signing adequate replacements.
They simply cannot afford for either of their first choice centre-backs to be unavailable.
Bukayo Saka
The England star has undoubtedly been one of Arsenal’s best players this season and his versatility is priceless for Mikel Arteta.
The 20-year-old can operate on the left and right wings as well as left-back.
Saka has contributed seven goals and four assists this season, but his natural replacement on the right wing if he were unavailable is Nicolas Pepe.
The Ivorian has largely flattered to deceive since joining the club for £72 million in 2019, and is yet to score in the league this season.
If the Gunners are to maintain their top four push they cannot afford to be without Saka for too long.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
The Japanese international has proved to be an inspired signing for Arsenal and has established himself as the club’s first choice right-back.
However, his understudy Cedric Soares has been blighted by persistent and niggling injuries this season.
Soares simply isn’t as reliable as Tomiyasu, meaning if the former Bologna star was ruled out for an extended period Arteta may have no senior right-back to call upon.
Thomas Partey
The Ghana star gives Arsenal quality, drive and a physical presence in central midfield.
Partey is far more reliable than his midfield partner Granit Xhaka who often finds himself suspended following unnecessary red cards.
However, the Gunners lack depth in the middle of the park, meaning if Partey was unavailable it would fall upon the shoulders of Mohamed Elneney or Albert Sambi Lokonga to deputise.
When Partey departed for the African Cup of Nations in January, Arsenal failed to win any of the games that he missed, underlining his importance to the team.
