Arsenal Transfers: 5 Gunners Targets for January

There is no light way of saying this. Arsenal are in trouble. They continue to drop points upon points and it seems there is no end in sight at the moment for the frustrations of Arsene Wenger and his side.

Wenger has a team on paper that should challenge for the Top 4, but the growing reality is that his offense has no way of repairing the damage his horrid defensive unit seems to be leveling on their club.

Sunday's loss of Bacary Sagna for what looks like at least three months for a broken leg only continues to mount the pressure on the Gunners defense, which has been extremely reduced due to injuries.

Arsenal as a whole is injury stricken to the core with a list that now includes: Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen, Johan Djourou, Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere on the sidelines and possibly even Wojciech Szczesny, who just pulled out of Poland's European Qualifiers this afternoon according to ESPNsoccernet.com

The proof that the best defense is a good offense is nowhere to be found either, as the Arsenal attack has been unable to carry the load on their backs alone.

January's transfer window is looking to be a busy one for Arsenal and if they do not spend then they may just be dooming themselves to a season out of Europe all together.

Yoann Gourcuff

Olympique Lyon and French international midfielder Yoann Gourcuff was an Arsenal target over the summer but nothing materialized for the 25-year-old.

With Yossi Benayoun only on loan, Wenger needs to add some permanent depth back to his midfield along side of Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.

The loss of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas continues to be duly noticeable in the Gunners midfield attacking and support roles, and if there is any chance of saving the season for Wenger he has to add in the middle as well as the back.

Gary Cahill

There is nothing more in need of help than the Gunners defense. Gary Cahill was a primary target for Arsene Wenger, or so everyone thought over the summer but the budget minded Frenchman has gone for the addition of value priced German Per Mertesacker instead.

Now he may be ruing that decision as there has rarely been a more desperate moment for a quality defender at the Emirates.

With Bolton tanking so far this season despite hopes of a solid mid-table finish Owen Coyle may be forced to sell to bring in additional talent in winter to try and save the Trotters season.

Giving the history of Jack Wilshere's loan two seasons ago at Bolton, I could see Wenger tempting the northern club with a loan signing in addition to at least an eight-figure sum.

Eden Hazard

If Wenger wants to inject a quick, creative, pacey mind into the attack he has to go after Lille's Eden Hazard. While he already poached Gervinho from the defending French Champions this summer he should make for the Belgian starlet that continues to be the primary playmaker for the club.

Andrei Arshavin is looking to be on the decline, and Hazard could be a ready made replacement for the once deadly Russian winger.

With the option of Hazard added to the wings along with Arshavin, Theo Walcott and Gervinho the competition and quality of attacking wide play should increase for Wenger.

Jan Vertonghen

Reports from caughtoffside.com have suggested that Arsene Wenger could be in line to capture Ajax Captain Jan Vertonghen to strengthen his defense in January.

The player has formed a partnership with Thomas Vermaelen for the Belgian national side and could continue to build upon that come January.

Despite the arrival of German defender Per Mertesacker in late August there are still too many questions at the back, and the combination of Vermaelen and Vertonghen could be just what the Gunners need to solidify the center of their defense.

Roberto Soldado

If the Gunners want an offense that is going to win them championships by getting over their terrible defense at the moment Arsene Wenger needs to bring in another striker that can trouble defenses like Robin Van Persie.

The Dutchman is excellent and has been in great form, but he cannot do it alone as we have seen so far this season.

Valencia front man Roberto Soldado could be an amazing signing for the Gunners. He has already proven he can score against Premier League clubs in the Champions League and he comes from a club that know what it means to produce results to remain in the top tier of European football.