Arsenal may be top of the Premier League but it's clear that they will need reinforcements if they are to sustain their title challenge.
Arsenal’s strength in depth has been the topic of much discussion since Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Newcastle.
Mikel Arteta looked to try change the game as it wore on but his options were very limited, so much so that his only substitution saw him bring on Takehiro Tomiyasu for Ben White at right-back.
The Arsenal manager has stated that the club is active in the transfer market and their attempts to bring in winger Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk are now common knowledge.
But just how shallow is Arsenal’s pool of players and where are reinforcements most required?
GOAL takes a look below and ranks each area in terms of importance…
Getty ImagesFull-back
This is an area where Arsenal are very well stocked. Indeed, that there is a chance that they could even let one full-back leave.
Cedric Soares is wanted by several clubs, including Fulham, and has made just two substitute appearances in the league this season due to the number of options Arteta has available to him.
White has made the right-back spot his own since the start of the campaign, while Takehiro Tomiyasu represents an excellent alternative.
Arsenal then have Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney competing for the left-back spot, with Tomiyasu also more than capable of filling in there as well if needed – as he has already demonstrated this season.
So, full-back is not a position that needs to be prioritised right now, even if Cedric is allowed to move on.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesGoalkeeper
Arsenal also have plenty of depth here, so there is no need for the club to go looking for a goalkeeper this month.
Aaron Ramsdale is the undoubted No.1 and is enjoying a fine season, while summer signing Matt Turney has proven himself to be a more than adequate understudy, both in terms of his performances in the Europa League and during the World Cup with the United States.
Third-choice Karl Hein is an impressive young shot-stopper, while talented 21-year-old Arthur Okonkwo is out on loan at Crewe Alexandra.
GettyAttacking midfield
Arsenal spent £34 million ($41m) on Fabio Vieira last summer, so they will not be investing in another attacking midfielder in January.
Vieira is still adapting to a new club and country, but has shown in flashes why Arsenal invested so heavily in the former Porto ace.
Captain Martin Odegaard, meanwhile, is having a superb campaign, while Granit Xhaka continues to write his own redemption story having been asked to play in a more advanced role by Mikel Arteta.
And with Emile Smith Rowe about to finally return after his long-term injury, there is no pressing need for Arsenal to bring in another attacking midfielder.
Getty ImagesCentre-back
Arsenal have an exceptional centre-back pairing in Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
Mikel Arteta also has Rob Holding to call upon if needed, with the former Bolton man still an integral part of the Spaniard’s squad.
And there is, of course, White, who it’s easy to forget is actually a centre-back by trade – despite his superb performances on the right side of the back four this season.
Looking to the long-term, Arteta will be hoping to add another left-sided centre-back option to his squad to provide natural cover for Gabriel, but it’s unlikely that Arsenal will try to do anything in that position before the close of the winter window.
Indeed, with those four strong centre-back options already at the club, and Tomiyasu capable of providing further cover if required, Edu will be prioritising other positions.