Arsenal's track record in the previous three transfer windows have played a vital role in shaping the current state of affairs at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta's side sit top of the Premier League after 11 games, two points above Manchester City, after hitting the ground running from day one of the 2022/23 season.
It's a mild comparison to the capitulation that saw the Gunners miss out on Champions League football on the final day of last season. Fast forward five months, and Arsenal are a different side after the injection of champion mentality monsters mixed with the desire of youth. Close to £150 million was spent in the summer to bring Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to north London from Manchester City, while Fabio Vieira signed from FC Porto and William Saliba returned Premier League-ready from his loan move at Marseille.
Arteta has managed to settle on a tried and tested set of players, with only 15 starters used this term. Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes have featured in all 15 games across all competitions this season, but the fear of picking up any needless injuries has prompted Edu to construct a January transfer plan.
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As reported yesterday, the club's board are preparing to back Arteta in January to sustain their early title challenge. The Sun have insisted that another £50 million will be handed over to the Gunners boss to add further additions to his squad for the hectic schedule that is waiting for them after the World Cup.
Arteta is believed to be interested in signing two players in January to freshen up his squad, and he's going to need them. Should Arsenal overcome Brighton in the EFL Cup (8 November), the Gunners will compete in four competitions in 2023 with their passage to the Europa League knockout stages already sealed.
One player who has been linked with a move to north London is 21-year-old Palmeiras wonderkid Danilo. The central midfielder is thought to be a priority for Arsenal in a position that is deemed essential following fitness issues regarding Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.
The Brazilian Serie A comes to a conclusion before the World Cup, giving Edu the confidence that an offer of £26 million would be accepted for the midfielder. Danilo has already made 137 appearances for Verdao after making his debut in September 2020 at 19 years, four months and eight days.
Another priority for Edu and Arteta to tick off in the near future is out wide. Saka and Martinelli have been the Gunners' star players this season, but adding another quality winger would ease the workload on the pair. Emile Smith-Rowe's injury means an attempt to lure Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhaylo Mudryk to the Emirates is likely after his continued impressive form.
Villarreal's Yeremy Pino has also emerged as an option in the attacking line after establishing himself as one of La Liga's brightest sparks. Pino has already made 91 appearances for the Yellows, as well as six caps for the Spanish national team.
With Edu's transfer plan and Arteta's ideal targets in mind, football.london looks at how the Gunners could line up for the second half of the season for a surprise title battle.
Possible Arsenal line-up after January (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Danilo, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Mudryk; Jesus
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