Arsenal Transfer Talk: 5 Players to Bring Champions League Glory to Arsenal

After a rough start to the season in the Barclays Premier League, dropping four of their first seven, Arsenal has since come on strong moving up to fifth on the league table while advancing to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League, resuming this February.

Set to square off with Milan on February 15th and again on March 6th, the Gunners have a few holes to fill over the January transfer period if they expect to make a serious run at the cup they’ve yet to win.

Still reeling from the departures of midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, Arsene Wenger is expected to bring in at least one more midfielder while also addressing the gaping hole at left-back caused by 22-year-old Kieran Gibbs’ surgery and recent setback.

Here are a few players Wenger will be looking at.

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Taye Taiwo, Left-Back, AC Milan

Frustrated by a lack of match play, AC Milan left-back Taye Taiwo could be an Arsenal acquisition this January, just one month before the two teams square off.

Since joining the Italian giants back in May, the 26-year-old Nigerian has seen the pitch just seven times, and has vocally expressed his frustration with coach Massimiliano Allegri on numerous occasions. Under contract through 2014, a one-year loan would not be out of the question.

Taiwo would provide a quick fix at left-back for the Gunners and could be trusted to start immediately. An enthusiastic player, Taiwo has been praised for his imposing build, defensive aggression and long throw-in ability. While he has struggled in the Serie A, his game is much more tailored for English soccer and could be a quality addition for Wenger’s club.

Aly Cissokho, Left-Back, Lyon

Meanwhile, as perennial Champions League contender Lyon continues to face financial issues this winter, 24-year-old left-back Aly Cissokho could become available for the right price.

Unlike Taiwo however, Cissokho would cost upwards of £15-20 million but could also be a long-term solution.

Cissokho, who was linked to Arsenal earlier this summer, is a tremendous athlete and versatile defender. He’s both strong and agile and plays the game with a quick pace, well suited for the Gunners’ style.

Newcastle and Liverpool are also in on the Senegal native.

Jan Vertonghen, Center-Back, Ajax

After admiring the Ajax defender for quite some time, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could finally get his wish this January as 24-year-old Jan Vertonghen could be made available this transfer period.

A close pal of Arsenal center-back and fellow compatriot Thomas Vermaelen, Vertonghen would fit in perfectly to the Gunners’ back line and would give them some flexibility thanks to his ability to play center-back, left-back and defensive midfield.

A smart and talented player, Vertonghen has the makings of a top-notch defender and could be a mainstay at Emirates for years.

Casemiro, Midfielder, Sao Paulo

A full month before they step onto the pitch, the Gunners and Milan will already be competing, this time over 19-year-old Brazilian starlet Casemiro.

The Sao Paulo product starred at central midfield for the Brazilian U20 team in last year’s South American Championship and has been praised for his defensive ability, aggression, quality passing and technical skill. Despite his age, Casemiro could fit into Arsenal’s game plan both immediately and long term.

He will certainly be one the most sought after Brazilians this January and is expected to cost £10-15 million, according to the Daily Mail. Juventus is also rumored to be in on the bidding.

Lukas Podolski, Striker, FC Koln

As the Gunners begin 2012 without forwards Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho, who will be competing in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, Wenger may look to add another capable goal scorer this January to help offset the pressure on Dutch striker Robin van Persie. One name that has been linked is German national Lukas Podolski.

While Podolski has never lived up to the hype he’s generated playing with the national squad, the 26-year-old forward would be a solid addition to the Arsenal attack, giving them a potential future replacement for van Persie and at the very least, a terrific late-game substitute in the intermediate.

Honorable Mention

Mario Gotze, Attacking Midfielder, Borussia Dortmund

Lastly, although it’s a long stretch, if Wenger is looking to land a real haymaker, the Gunners could look to pony up the £30 million price tag for German wunderkind Mario Gotze. One of the Bundesliga’s brightest youngsters, Gotze would be a tremendous acquisition, giving the team someone to build around with fellow 19-year-old starlet Jack Wilshere in the future.

Rasmus Elm, Midfielder, AZ Alkmaar

Rumor has it 23-year-old Swedish international Rasmus Elm is looking to make the jump to the EPL this January as well. Regarded for his creativity, soft touch and terrific work ethic, Elm would make for a terrific second-teamer, providing depth across the entire midfield. He is expected to cost £10-15 million however, and rival Manchester United are considered early front-runners.