Who does Arsenal need to sign in the January Transfer Window? 

The Gunners' top four chase is certainly on. Stationed a mere three points away from the valuable Champions League spots, the team from North London have a genuine opportunity to reach their target. A strong finish to the next half of the season can see Unai Emery's men reclaim their place among the continent's elite.

The top four route is not the only one for Arsenal as victory in the Europa League can also guarantee their attendance in next season's Champions League. Emery for one knows what it takes to win the Europa league; no manager in European football history has won the tournament more times than the Spaniard.

With Sevilla, Emery captured the Europa League crown a remarkable three times in a row (2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16), which is a sensational achievement that can have Arsenal fans confident that he will give it a real go with his new team.

With Emery openly saying the club, due to financial constraints, cannot sign any player permanently, he is obviously limited in terms of transfer options. However, he still seems keen to get some business done, which is the general consensus of most of their fan base. Arsenal has shown that the club can get business done in the first month of the year. Imagine where the team would be now if they had not made last season's January signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund. The Gabonese striker currently sits on top of the Premier League scoring charts with 14 goals.

With one half of the season gone and the transfer window open, what moves can the traditionally frugal club make to ensure these goals are met? The following is an analysis based on Arsenal F.C.'s issues this season, what players are both realistically available and can assist with their season ambitions.

#1 Denis Suarez

25-year-old Denis Suarez has only played two games for Barcelona this season. The former Manchester City man is eager to play more football and sees a move to Arsenal to link up with his former manager, as a perfect opportunity to do exactly that.

Spanish midfielders have had great success at the English capital club and he has all the attributes to sustain that trend. Cesc Fabregas, Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta have all entertained the Arsenal faithful, who would appreciate the type of football Suarez plays.

With the inability to fully depend on their highest paid and most creative player Mesut Ozil, Suarez can take some pressure off the German and play that role when Ozil is absent or out of form. While he can take some pressure off Ozil from a responsibility standpoint, he will add on to pressure to former World Cup winner, which in turn may result in Ozil producing more consistent performances.

The stumbling block here is that Barcelona only want to sell the player for an appropriate fee and seem uninterested in the possibility of a loan move. With Aaron Ramsey almost certain to leave the club for Juventus at the end of the season, a permanent move for Suarez might benefit all parties.

#2 Eliaquim Mangala

I know, I know. The club cannot sign another mistake-prone defender but hear this one out. Arsenal in recent weeks seem to have a problem at the centre back position due to several injuries. This has somewhat mellowed down with the return of club captain Laurent Koscielny and Greek youngster Mavropanos.

While head of Arsenal recruitment Sven Mislintat has links to some of Europe's most promising centre-backs via Dortmund in Dan-Axel Zagadou, Diallo and Manuel Akanji, the possibility of signing any of these players in January is highly unlikely.

Gary Cahill's name has been mentioned in the rumour mill and could provide a good short term solution for the club. Manchester City's Eliaquim Mangala is another interesting option.

Mangala is still only 27 years old and was once one of the most promising young defenders in world football. A loan move to Arsenal can do two things: one, a chance for the player to revive his career and two, he is available on a free transfer at the end of the season. It can be the perfect opportunity for Arsenal to take a risk and trial a player who had immense potential in the past.

Things didn't quite work out for the player in Manchester City but a loan deal for the former French U21 captain might be a gamble worth taking for Arsenal.

#3 Yannick Carrasco

While the forward line in Arsenal is a stable one with Aubameyang and his partner in crime Alexandre Lacazette, the lack of wing options means they rarely play up front with each other. If they play together, one has to operate from a wing.

The addition of a quick and tricky winger would also eliminate the need for central attacking players of Ozil, Iwobi and Mkhitaryan having to play where they are least effective. Iwobi, to be fair, has done a moderately good job with that role this season but Chinese-based Belgian international Yannick Carrasco will give the club something different.

Apparently frustrated by his time in China, a loan move away from Asia to the Premier League does not sound far fetched. The quality of the player means Arsenal will have competition to sign the player. Nicolas Pépé and Cristian Pavón are speedy wingers who have been long linked with Arsenal, but Carrasco seems much more possible in this window.

#4 Hector Herrera

Lucas Torreira has made a great start to his Arsenal career and has already become a cult hero at the Emirates. But the long competitive Premier League season is starting to take a toll on the player and a disappointing performance in a 5-1 defeat to Liverpool saw him lose his starting place in the next game against Fulham.

The game served to remind everyone that the Uruguayan is still only 22 years old and Arsenal has no alternative for the player. This is where experienced Mexican international Hector Herrera comes in.

An extremely consistent player that can go both ways could add additional steel to the Arsenal midfield. At 28 years old, the Porto captain will add leadership qualities to a team that some believe lacks natural leaders. A loan move for the player in January, especially with Champions League round of 16 on the horizon for Porto, makes this deal a very difficult one to complete.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and they do not necessarily represent the views of Sportskeeda.

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