5 players Arsenal could target in the January transfer window

Unai Emery has made a remarkable start to his Arsenal career.

After back-to-back defeats in his opening two games, the Gunners boss has taken his side on a 16-game unbeaten run in all competitions to force their way into the mix for the Champions League spots.

But Emery may need reinforcements if he is to challenge for the top four and maintain a push for the Europa League.

Arsenal brought in the likes of Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Bernd Leno in the summer.

Here, we take a look at five players that Arsenal could target in the January transfer window:

Ever Banega

The Seville midfielder is 30 but Emery’s squad has got significantly older because of recent signings like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

That shows Arsenal are no longer bound by Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to go for older players and Emery is a huge fan of Banega and has a “father-son” relationship with him from their time at Seville.

If all things were equal and Arsenal could get him, Banega is 100 per cent the player they would want to replace Aaron Ramsey.

Emery wants a player who can play “at the front of the press”, to lead the charge and close down from midfield because he is physically strong and powerful. Clearly, Emery does not feel Ramsey could do that which explains why the contract offer was withdrawn. Nor Mesut Ozil. The player must be strong and powerful and will arguably become the most important cog in the machine.

Never underestimate the importance of relationships with players with Emery. But age and availability also comes into it.

Pablo Fornals

The Villarreal midfielder is 22, younger than Banega but has a £17.8m buy-out clause while it has been reported in Spain that Arsenal have been watching him and may move in January.

Fornals is hard working and strong, he can score goals and track back.

His profile certainly fits the Emery mould.

Alberto Moreno

Arsenal are on the look out for a left back and Moreno was a sensation under Unai Emery when they were together at Seville.

Moreno was attacking, loves to get forward and Emery got the best out of a player who was highly regarded and capped by Spain.

So, let’s not laugh too much because Emery clearly knows a player and knows what he is doing.

The fact he could soon be a free agent is another appealing part of the set-up.

Ousmane Dembele

Just watch the Barcelona star become the most linked player in January. Could Arsenal go for him? Well, of course. But his £85m price tag means it is a non-starter in reality.

But what is less known, is that Dembele was recommended to Arsenal in 2016 before he became a huge star at Borussia Dortmund and was then whisked away to Spain.

The France forward is available for around £100m and that’s way out of Arsenal’s price range right now.

Cristian Pavon

Arsenal could be in the market for a forward because of the injury to Danny Welbeck who was such a big player for the squad in terms of popularity and versatility.

With Arsenal going for the top four and also the Europa League, they may need another option and Welbeck could play through the middle and also wide.

Pavon is quick, has been on Arsenal’s radar and the Boca Juniors star is only 22 but has shown enough quality to be a regular for Argentina.

Arsenal have been looking at him and have already been linked with him.