Arsenal Transfers: 5 Young Gunners Who Need a January Loan Move

With so much attention being paid to who might be arriving at the Emirates Stadium in January, it's easy to forget that Arsene Wenger traditionally likes to loan out some of his promising youngsters during the month.

These loan moves have been highly beneficial in recent seasons. In January 2010, Jack Wilshere used a loan move to Bolton Wanderers to showcase his talents and prove he was ready for first-team consideration.

Last season, Japanese starlet Ryo Miyaichi gave Arsenal fans a glimpse of his tremendous potential during a fruitful loan spell with Dutch giants Feyenoord.

This season's team is packed with similar prodigious young talents, all of whom would benefit greatly from an exposure to regular first-team football.

Here are five young Gunners who could use a January loan move to gather valuable experience and convince Wenger they are ready for the first-team squad.

5. Oguzhan Ozyakup

Crafty Dutch midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup is exactly the kind of player who can benefit from a loan move in January.

A cultured and skillful midfield player, Ozyakup has the technique and intelligence to eventually thrive in Wenger's tactical structure.

But the former AZ Alkmaar academy graduate needs games. Ozyakup hinted he would be open to a loan switch back in autumn and there have been rumours that the club would be willing to accommodate this desire in January.

4. Chuks Aneke

Chuks Aneke is one of the most promising talents in Arsenal's reserves and youth setup. Currently on loan at League One side Stevenage until January 22nd, the 18-year-old could again emerge as a target for Premier League clubs.

A loan move in the Premier League could be the final touch in developing Aneke into Arsenal's next young star.

Aneke possesses a rare combination of power and natural technique. He is equally comfortable operating in the midfield or forward areas.

There have been suggestions that Aneke could be loaned out in January, with West Bromwich Albion frequently mentioned as a possible destination.

Playing for a manager as experienced as Roy Hodgson would be the perfect scenario for Aneke. He could continue to refine his game in a style suited to his current training and would gain plenty of vital Premier League experience.

Carlos Vela enjoyed a respectable loan spell at the Hawthornes last season. Aneke has the ability to take advantage of the opportunities Hodgson would give him.

3. Emmanuel Frimpong

A loan move within the Premier League is seemingly all that is left for Emmanuel Frimpong. The combative youngster looks certain to become a prominent figure in Arsensal's first team in the very near future.

Frimpong was highly impressive at the start of the season. But his rough edges have been exposed and more regular top-flight experience would prove invaluable for the raw prodigy.

Frimpong needs to add a measure of discipline to his tenacious style. He also needs to refine the technical aspects of his game, having recently been outshined by the more assured Francis Coquelin.

Several Premier League clubs are said to be interested in acquiring Frimpong, with midlands duo Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa thought to be leading the way.

If he can put together an impressive loan period and prove that he can curb his wilder tendencies, Frimpong will be impossible to ignore in the first-team plans next season.

2. Ryo Miyaichi

After suffering a lengthy injury and struggling to match the hype generated by his arrival, Japanese wing ace Ryo Miyaichi could be in line for a second loan spell.

Fulham have been mentioned as a possible destination for the Japanese sensation. The move would help Miyaichi acclimatise to the rugged nature of the Premier League and offer Arsenal fans a weekly tantalising glimpse of one of the club's most touted prospects.

1. Ignasi Miquel

Arsenal's ongoing injury crisis at full-back has meant that Spanish youngster Ignasi Miquel has been forced into regular first-team action a little ahead of schedule.

But Miquel has belied his inexperience with some confident and assured performances. He has rarely disappointed when called upon and has the potential to be a key defender in years to come.

A loan would increase his number of games and also allow Miquel to show his worth in his natural central position more often.

Tall, combative and technically competent, Miquel has the makings of a fine central defender. Given Arsene Wenger's recent statements concerning the possible early return of some of his injured full-backs, Miquel could soon be free to gain some valuable experience elsewhere.

January Loans Can Yield Huge Rewards

Arsenal's January loan moves have produced hugely positive results in recent seasons. They revealed the spine of the club's midfield for the next decade, in the form of prodigious duo Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere.

A January loan spell also helped solve the team's long standing goalkeeping problem, by highlighting the obvious No. 1 in the form of supremely confident Pole Wojciech Szczesny.

Loan spells for one or more of the players on this list would maintain the club's allegiance to building through youth.

They would also clear way for the stars of the youth academy to gain access to the reserve side and move one step closer to first-team consideration.

Kyle Ebecilio and Serge Gnabry are two such youths who are primed for increased opportunities in Neil Banfield's reserve team.

2012's loanees could easily emerge as the next stars in the making for the Gunners.