Leading the league, topping the Champions League, and advancing to the Carabao Cup semi-finals — Arsenal appears unstoppable. Yet, there’s a lingering sense of déjà vu for the Gunners.

Meanwhile, Manchester City is gaining momentum, injuries continue to plague Arsenal, and Aston Villa is adding complexity to their challenges.

Despite bolstering their ranks with eight new signings last summer to counteract an injury crisis, Mikel Arteta’s team might still require additional reinforcements in January to navigate the relentless schedule ahead.

1. What should Arsenal focus on in January?

Despite the challenges, Arsenal’s management is confident that after an investment of approximately £250 million last summer, their squad has the depth and talent necessary to clinch the Premier League title.

But they are monitoring the market in defence, after an injury crisis that has forced the likes of Christian Norgaard and Declan Rice into the backline in recent weeks. 

Arsenal are monitoring the market in defence, having suffered injuries to seven of their eight senior defenders this season already

But despite the injuries, Arsenal are top of the Premier League and Champions League, and reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a penalty shootout win over Crystal Palace

Myles Lewis-Skelly, who only made his first Premier League start of the season on Saturday, is the lone senior defender to have escaped an injury lay-off so far, with William Saliba, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have all missed time.

However, there is limited space in the squad – already the likes of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze are rooted to the bench from the off, while there will be a severe logjam on the matchday teamsheet when the walking wounded do return.

It’s understood that bringing in a defender will also depend on if either more injuries occur, or if injured key players are sidelined longer than expected, between now and the end of the window.

The key for the Gunners is to try keep as much of their squad fit for an unforgiving schedule, made more taxing because of their success on the pitch.

A two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Chelsea, a potential FA Cup run if they dispatch Championship Portsmouth next week and the Champions League knockout stages are all to come on top of their remaining league matches.

It will require careful squad management.

2. Do they have money to spend?

Yes, Arsenal are financially healthy. That position will only get stronger with the Gunners expected to go deep in all competitions this season, and possibly win the league, which could net them around £175m alone.

If Arsenal get to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, which is the minimum expectation, they’re looking at around £100m in terms of broadcast money and gate receipts.

The first window under Andrea Berta (right) was an unqualified success 

The Arsenal hierarchy feel that the squad they have, after spending around £250million last summer, has the depth and capability to win the Premier League title

Even with the splurge in the last transfer window, the Gunners’ wage bill is still below that of the Manchester clubs and Chelsea. 

But after last summer’s outlay, any extravagant spending in January would not fall in line with the club’s aim to be financially sustainable.

3. Who are they targeting?

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is someone Arsenal have had interest in, and the boyhood Gooner has a £65m release clause that expires in early January.

But that interest centred around exploring a move for him in the summer, and Manchester City is the player’s preferred choice, with Liverpool also further along.

Sporting director Andrea Berta has pressed on with scouring the foreign market for talented young players under the age of 18.

In October, they reached an agreement for 16-year-old Irish midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna to join Arsenal from Shamrock Rovers in January 2027 when he turns 18.

And earlier this month, the club signed Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero from Independiente del Valle, with the two 16-year-olds to join Arsenal in August 2027 when they turn 18.

It’s understood that Berta is looking for more of these opportunities in January.

Antoine Semenyo is a boyhood Arsenal fan but the Gunners’ interest is more towards a summer move – opening the door for Manchester City and Liverpool in January

In October, they reached an agreement for Victor Ozhianvuna to join Arsenal from Shamrock Rovers in January 2027 when he turns 18

And earlier this month, the club signed Ecuadorian twins Edwin (left) and Holger Quintero from Independiente del Valle, with the 16-year-olds to join Arsenal in August 2027

4. How have their summer signings fared so far?

Berta’s first transfer window at Arsenal has proven to be transformative.

Eight players came in — Kepa Arrizabalaga, Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Hincapie, Madueke, Mosquera, Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi.

The 21-year-old Mosquera looks to be a real gem for the future, his £13million fee already proving to be a bargain. 

Hincapie, a former ‘Invincibles’ Bundesliga winner with Bayer Leverkusen, is a tough centre back who has been physically imposing in his displays thus far but not yet the finished product. He has shown strong signs of promise and more to come is expected.

Eze has yet to get a sustained run in the team nor found a fixed position, but has already shown just why Arsenal bought him, his hat-trick against Tottenham a season highlight so far. He will grow further into this team.

Madueke has surprised most observers. His £52m fee caused many fans to revolt, which led to the #NoToMadueke hashtag trending when he was linked to the club. Yet, the winger has been a revelation and given Arsenal that needed depth on either wing, his directness having caused many a full back a headache while providing team-mates with goalscoring opportunities.

Zubimendi has been the midfield lynchpin Arteta expected him to be. He has proven to be a master at picking pockets, is excellent in possession and freed Rice to cause more havoc in the final third.

Kepa has played just two Carabao Cup matches, and Norgaard just four starts in eight appearances. Both are decent additions in terms of squad depth, as seen by Kepa’s display against Crystal Palace last week, and Norgaard’s adaptability in playing centre back. 

Martin Zubimendi (second left) and Cristhian Mosquera (second right) have hit the ground running in north London

But Viktor Gyokeres remains a work in progress and has struggled to consistently find the net

Of the eight, it’s Gyokeres who still has the big question mark. He has occasionally shown signs of what he brings to this team, like against Burnley where his through balls and stretching the defence with running into the channels helped create space for his team-mates.

But he has often found it hard to have an impact in front of goal or be found by team-mates. The jury is still out.

5. And who might leave?

Arsenal are acutely aware of the number of injuries they have already sustained and are reluctant to let any player leave. Having had his frontline decimated, Arteta then had to contend with a plethora of injuries to the defence.

So, no permanent exits are expected — but two situations in terms of loans which are worth monitoring include Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.

Most importantly, neither player is unhappy at the club. Lewis-Skelly is desperate to make the England World Cup squad next summer, and Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that the full back needs regular minutes to have a shot.

The 19-year-old has only started that one league match this season — when Calafiori got injured in the warm-up on Saturday — and it was telling that Timber started at left back against Wolves even when Calafiori was again injured. That is not a good sign. If the right loan move came up, a discussion at the least could be had, although it’s still very unlikely such a move will happen.

Ethan Nwaneri (centre) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (right) are both short of minutes this season and if the right loan offer came up, a discussion could be had

The pair are the jewels in the academy’s crown and neither is unhappy at Arsenal

With Nwaneri, it’s understood that Bournemouth and other Premier League clubs have registered their interest in a January loan move for the starlet, and the Gunners are aware he is keen for game time.

The 18-year-old signed a five-year contract in August and his rise has been rapid. Last season, the attacker made his first Premier League and Champions League starts, shone in the Carabao Cup, while scoring nine goals across those three competitions.

Yet, 12 months on, Nwaneri has slid way down Arteta’s pecking order. He has not played a single minute in the last six Premier League matches, and did not feature in the Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Crystal Palace.

The club are conscious that their youngest-ever player needs consistent senior minutes to continue his development.