Arsenal: What Gunners Should Be Looking for in the January Transfer Market

Anyone who witnessed Arsenal outplay and outclass Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday night would be tempted to suggest that the Gunners don't need to look for anyone in January.

Arsene Wenger's side are unbeaten in 10 games (in all competitions), they look confident, they ooze class and they are playing with great conviction.

Trying to predict where Arsenal will finish this season is rash, at this early stage. The campaign is far too young to tell if Wenger will win his first silverware since 2005. However, there is a palpable feeling of optimism at the Emirates.

As we get closer to January, it's inevitable that the Gunners will be linked to a number of players. But, dare I say it, their needs are not as desperate as some may claim.

It has been mooted that Wenger needs to sign a new goalkeeper, striker, centre-back, winger and right-back. Another defensive midfielder has also been called for, despite Mathieu Flamini's return to North London.

I beg to differ.

Buying players in January can be absolute folly. Prices, which have been exorbitantly inflated, are routinely paid by clubs who are desperate to improve, escape relegation, replace injured players or simply kick on to the next level.

Wenger spent big on deadline day and the arrival of Mesut Ozil has had an immediate effect on his side. The German international's presence has lifted the team and its fans. Watching him ply his trade in the Premier League is a joy, no matter who you support. The 24-year-old's movement and range of passing have been key in Arsenal's return to a team that looks most comfortable when playing attractive and fluid possession-based football.

Ozil's presence will also play a large factor in attracting other world class players to the side. Yet, it does not mean that extensive shopping needs to be done this winter. 

Wenger's starting XI have title-winning potential, there is no question about it. But it's unlikely that they will not be hit by injuries throughout the season. In my view, there are just two key areas that need to be strengthened in January.

Primarily, it is quite clear that Arsenal need another striker. Over the summer, Wenger tried to sign Luis Suarez from Liverpool, they looked to be on the verge of signing Gonzalo Higuain and they were unsuccessful in bringing Demba Ba to the Emirates on a season-long loan.

So far, this has not hampered their chances. Olivier Giroud has been in fine form, scoring four goals and registering two assists in six top flight outings and notching one goal in the Champions League.

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey, perhaps the most surprising player of the season so far, has also scored four goals and made two assists and has scored one and made one in Europe.

Ozil also got off the mark for his new side this week, with this stunning effort against Napoli:

However, it's foolish to think that Arsenal can get through the season with just one top striker. Niklas Bendtner and the injured Yaya Sanogo are not the answer, Lukas Podolski has had a lengthy injury lay off and Theo Walcott's finishing, when he is deployed upfront, leaves much to be desired.

With what we have seen already, imagine how good this Arsenal side would be with a world class striker like Luis Suarez?  Liverpool's opinion-splitting No. 7 comes with baggage but he also comes with goals.

25-year-old Higuain, who has scored four goals in seven games for Napoli this season, would have added another dimension to Wenger's team. Having played with Ozil at Madrid, it could have been a potent combination against Premier League defences.

As Arsenal look to add firepower in January, perhaps they will reignite their interest in Suarez, as suggested by the Mirror's John Cross. Or maybe they will make a renewed move for Chelsea's Ba. Another attractive option is Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who was described by the Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson as Wenger's "priority signing" over the summer.

As reported by Jack Wilson in the Daily Star, Aston Villa's Christian Benteke could also be a target for Wenger. 

A new striker will not only ease the pressure on Giroud, but the competition can only improve the Frenchman.

In midfield, Arsenal look in rude health. Ozil aside, the summer acquisition of Flamini on a free transfer looks like one of the steals of the season. A fit-again Mikel Arteta also provides more in the way of midfield defensive duties—the pair forming an impressive partnership against Napoli this week. Tomas Rosicky has had an encouraging start to the season and it goes without saying that Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey would walk into almost any team in the top flight. 18-year-old Serge Gnabry looks like another excellent young player to come off the Arsenal production line.

"

The Flamini-Arteta axis was inspired. Great platform for Özil, Ramsey, Rosicky/Wilshere and Giroud to move fluently. #AFC

— Amy Lawrence (@amylawrence71) October 1, 2013"

Currently sidelined through injury, Wenger has a wealth of options to call upon when fit in Santi Cazorla, Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott, among others.

At the back, Arsenal had the second-best defence in the Premier League last season. On the left they have Kieren Gibbs and Nacho Monreal. In central defence they can boast a formidable pairing in Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, with Bacary Sagna also good in the role. Thomas Vermaelen's return to fitness is another boost for Wenger's side.

It's Sagna's conversion into a centre-back that points towards the only other area that Arsenal may need to look for suitable cover during the January window.

In fact, Sagna's current hamstring injury, as reported by Sami Mokbel in the Daily Mail, leaves only Carl Jenkinson in the right-back position. Jenkinson is still developing into the role and backup would be wise for the long season ahead. 

"

Sagna injury opens Arsenal door for Jenkinson(JUSTARSENALNEWS): Arsenal have one more game to play before the... http://t.co/aA3xfhvyTQ

— Arsenal News (@ArsenalFeed365) October 3, 2013"

Micah Richards, according to the Mirror, was one such player that Wenger was interested in over the summer. Whereas, as Metro's Jamie Sanderson reports, Barcelona's Martin Montoya is another possibility. 

A striker will vastly improve Arsenal's fortunes and a new right-back would help with strength in depth. In other areas, I believe the Gunners should hang on until summer.

If a new marksman arrives in January, maybe we can start making predictions, after all.