Is there business to be done for Arsenal in January?

Arsenal find themselves fourth in the Premier League, five points off the top, in a last-16 tie versus Porto in the Champions League and out of both domestic cups. 

A little over halfway through the season, most would say it’s been okay without being great.

All of the focus is on the two prize competitions but despite still being in the running for both, it still feels like Arsenal aren’t quite there. So is there a move to be made in January?

The simple answer is that a move will be difficult, and as a result somewhat unlikely.

Due to Financial Fair Play rules, Arsenal’s summer spending has left them with little room to manoeuvre, coupled with a trickier landscape in the January market.

In terms of positions for Arsenal to make a move, it can be argued an addition in most positions would be a boost. 

At full-back, the Gunners are short due to Takehiro Tomiyasu being away at the Asia Cup and Jurrien Timber being injured, both of which also leave Arsenal short at centre-back.

In midfield nobody has really nailed down the Granit Xhaka position from last season and there looks to be a lack of creativity from those filling in.

Out wide there is a drop-off behind Bukayo Saka and the out-of-form Gabriel Martinelli. And up front, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are struggling to find the goals. 

So really, Arsenal are looking for a market opportunity – when are they not? 

One of the main challenges with doing a January deal is balancing against the needs in the summer. 

Last season Arsenal signed Leandro Trossard and Jorginho in January, both of whom have been good signings but both are squad players. 

Such squad players obviously play an important role, but Arsenal this season have needed ceiling raisers, and typically those players aren’t out there in January.

There also doesn’t seem to be much in the way of rumoured outgoings in January either, despite potential interest for Aaron Ramsdale and Nketiah.

Lots to do but little resources to do it. Let’s at least hope for a loan signing.