Arsenal: 6 Premier League Players Gunners Should Target in January

With the January transfer window approaching, Arsenal continue to be linked with several talented players. 

Most of the targets said to be on the Gunners' radar ply their trades outside the Premier League.

But as most January signings are made with a view to providing an immediate boost to the squad, Arsenal should focus on players who would arrive in North London, Premier League ready.

There are many talented players operating out of the spotlight for some of the Premiership's less successful clubs.

Several of these players could be good fits for Arsenal and require little or no time to adapt to the Gunners' style of play.

Here are six suggestions from within the Premier League whom Arsenal ought to consider this winter.

Joe Allen: Swansea City

A tricky and resourceful midfielder, Joe Allen has been one of the most consistent performers this season for newly-promoted Swansea City.

Direct and skillful, Allen has the energy, drive and clever footwork to offer a credible goal-scoring threat.

The highlight of his season has to be his neat and classy finish away to Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

Allen followed up this clinical strike with a well-taken goal in yesterday's victory over Bolton Wanderers.

At Arsenal, Allen would be given the opportunity to refine his technique under Arsene Wenger and Boro Primorac.

The Swansea City talisman is the kind of cultured, box-to-box midfielder who would be a real asset to the Gunners' squad.

Adam Johnson: Manchester City

A supremely talented, yet inconsistent player, out of favour Manchester City wing flop Adam Johnson has recently been linked with a winter move to Arsenal.

Johnson has struggled to maintain the favour of City boss Roberto Mancini and the tricky, fleet-footed wide man is becoming frustrated at his lack of opportunities.

Johnson's attitude has been questioned, but he has the pace, touch and skill to terrorise any defense.

Arsenal have a litany of wide players to choose from, but Gervinho could depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Wenger may want to continue with Andrey Arshavin in a more central role.

If the Arsenal boss decides this is one season too soon to have to rely on youngsters Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ryo Miyaichi, an experienced Premier League protagonist like Johnson could prove a useful purchase.

Moussa Dembele: Fulham

Toward the end of the summer transfer window, Arsenal were linked with Fulham forward Clint Dempsey. 

If the Gunners again look to Fulham in January, Wenger should consider bidding for creative attacker Moussa Dembele.

The former AZ Alkmaar star is a vastly underrated talent. He possesses tremendous speed, strength and balance, making him potent with the ball at his feet.

Dembele can also rely on plenty of technical craft and guile, allowing him to be a productive creative outlet between the midfield and forward lines.

Dembele often struggles for regular games with the Craven Cottage club, due to a crowded field at striker. 

Fulham can call on Andy Johnson, Bobby Zamora and Dempsey.

They also added £10.6 million man Brian Ruiz, who can operate wide or centrally. Fulham could be tempted to recoup some of their cash in January if they receive a tempting enough bid for Dembele.

He would fit in anywhere along Arsenal's front three. 

If Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh are unable to recapture their best form and the Gunners decide to cash in, Dembele would be an excellent replacement.

Stephane Sessegnon: Sunderland

Dynamic attacking midfielder Stephane Sessegnon is somehow managing to remain one of the Premier League's best kept secrets.

But the Sunderland star would excel at a higher level and is a perfect fit for the Gunners. 

Having tracked Sessegnon in the past, Wenger should consider moving for the talented attacker as quickly as possible.

Sessegnon is a cultured player who operates best in forward areas and offers a rare combination of pace and power, along with flair and technique.

He would be an exciting addition to Arsenal's midfield and has the versatility and talent to be effective in all three positions.

Louis Saha: Everton

Veteran Everton striker Louis Saha could be the ideal man to provide cover and ease the goal-scoring burden on the prolific, but notoriously injury prone Robin van Persie.

At 33, Saha is still as capable as any Premier league striker and retains a good deal of his blistering pace. He is mobile, quick on the turn and possesses a lethal left foot shot.

The Frenchman always seems to be falling in and out of favour with Toffees manager David Moyes. 

If any questions about his worth and future at Goodison Park remain in January, the Gunners should pounce.

Junior Hoilett: Blackburn Rovers

It's hard to fathom why exactly big clubs aren't queueing up to secure the services of talented Blackburn Rovers wing ace Junior Hoilett.

The 21-year-old Canadian prodigy deserves to be on a bigger stage and is the ideal player for Wenger to mould into a superstar.

A short and compact wide player, Hoilett combines breathtaking pace with tricky, intricate footwork. He is a superb crosser of the ball and the likes of van Persie and Theo Walcott would greatly benefit from his accurate delivery.

Hoilett is also a clever passer with keen creative awareness and instincts. He has the ability to switch flanks and be a threat from either side.

Hoilett is an extremely direct player, who relishes going forward and attacking gaps in any back four.

At Arsenal, Hoilett could be encouraged to use his smart movement and powerful shot to expose weaknesses in central areas more often.

Hoilett continues to be reluctant to sign a new deal with Rovers. Arsenal should take advantage of this and force Rovers into accepting a reduced fee in January.

If, as many anticipate, Arsenal add further quality to the squad in January, these Premier League aces should be near the top of their list of targets.