Arsenal Transfer News: 5 Players Arsene Wenger Must Target in January

It has surely taken some time, but Arsenal are beginning to make the type of moves fans say should have been happening the whole transfer window.

Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta were some late additions to the Arsenal squad, but it could not hurt Arsenal to add even more depth and experience.

The Gunners are a wounded animal right now, and the transfers Wenger has made have allowed Arsenal to at least put up some sort of fight to resurrect their already ailing season.

Without further ado, here are the five players that Arsenal should target in January.

Kaka

This may be slightly out of left field, but a move for Kaka should not be totally out of the question.

The only reason a loan move fell through was because Madrid reportedly wanted the move to be on a permanent basis.

I don't mean to harp on Arsenal's defeat to Manchester United, but the loss exposed a lot of the areas Arsenal need to strengthen.

Jack Wilshere is a talent, but he has no experience next to him anymore.  No Cesc Fabregas to pull the strings, and no Samir Nasri to create space.

Wilshere is the type of player who needs another player to work off of.  He is not yet good enough to orchestrate the game by himself.

Kaka would bring experience, skill and class.

He is arguably one of the finest attacking midfielders when fit, and his composure and undeniable footballing skill would be welcomed to an Arsenal side that needs some proven talent.

Clint Dempsey

Clint Dempsey can play as a striker or as a wide man.

He is arguably more effective than Andrei Arshavin and does not have a history of injuries like Robin Van Persie.

A move for Dempsey would strengthen Arsenal's appeal in the States and add grit to their squad.

Dempsey is a proven EPL and international footballer, and he would bring his goals, leadership and work ethic to Arsenal.

Alex

Per Mertesacker was the start of Arsenal's rebuilding process, but Arsenal could still use some experience and steel in their back line.

Thomas Vermaelen is likely to struggle with injuries for the rest of his career, and Arsenal are not in a position to be taking gambles.

Sebastien Squillaci is nowhere near top four quality, and Laurent Koscielny is consistently inconsistent. 

Johan Djourou is a promising player, but he too struggles with fitness and injuries.

Alex, on the other hand, is a proven player who plays football out of the back as opposed to knocking the ball forward, a quality that is sure to sit well with the Arsenal board.

The fact that Alex has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea would aid Arsenal's cause to move for him on the cheap.

Hernanes

Regarded as one of the most gifted midfielders in the Serie A, Hernanes is a rising talent and dominant attacking footballer.

His distribution as well as his blistering shot and quick feet were responsible for Lazio securing a top six spot last season.

Unlike Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta, Hernanes is able to be a long-term successor for the role left by Fabregas.

Although valued at around £20 million, Hernanes could prove to be worth much, much more.

Gerard Deulofeu

17-year-old Gerard Deulofeu is an attacking player with loads of promise and potential.

Arsene Wenger is said to be an admirer of Deulofeu's skill, and the combination of his age, price and Barcelona roots will make Deulofeu all the more attractive to Wenger.

Despite showing signs of overcoming his stubbornness by signing some much-needed experience in the transfer window, it is highly unlikely that Wenger will abandon his youth policy.