Arsenal: Top-four finish dependent on Unai Emery and January

When May rolls around, Arsenal are wanting a top-four finish. But if they are to achieve that, they need Unai Emery to work his magic and a January transfer window to address some key needs.

When Arsenal opened the year with a clear target: regain their Champions League status, either through winning the Europa League or, more favourably, finishing in the top-four when May rolls around. For Unai Emery, the goal to achieve was crystal clear.

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Unfortunately, however, there are six very good teams in the Premier League. For all of the hype surrounding the start to the Gunners’ season, featuring a 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions, they still fit in fifth position and outside of the top-four, such is the quality of the teams at the sharp end of the division.

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What is becoming increasingly clear as the weeks pass is that this squad is short on options, versatility, depth and elite quality. Granit Xhaka has been used at centre-half, such has been the depletion of the options at the position, Laurent Koscielny was rushed back from injury, while the lack of a true winger has been damaging to the attacking potency of the team, with Emery relying on Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to fill the roles.

Arsenal did make some major surgery in the summer. Sokratis, Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno and Matteo Guendouzi have all played key roles this season already. All were signed in the summer. Emery, clearly, was not happy with the squad that he inherited. And it is clear that the shortcomings could not be solved within one transfer window.

Now, not all of these issues — centre-back, left-back, centre-midfield, winger — need to be solved for Arsenal to finish in the top four. They are not far from achieving that mark. But it is unlikely that they can haul themselves above Spurs and Chelsea with the current crop of players. They need some immediate help in some crucial areas.

It is difficult to envisage this current team finishing in the top four without investment in a new winger, for instance. Whether it be recalling Reiss Nelson from loan, which might not be the wisest move anyway, or it be investing heavily in a Wilfried Zaha type player, or it be a loan move for a player like Ousmane Dembele, a true and genuine weapon out wide is required.

It is also difficult to see this team regaining their Champions League status without a re-shaping of the centre-back options. This may not mean more investment in a new player. Koscielny or Konstantinos Mavropanos could make a miraculous return. But it likely means that. Arsenal need help, and January is the time to do it.

The January window is rarely a place to find long-term solutions to riddling problems. But it can provide teams with short-term inspiration for immediate goals that season. And the Gunners need some inspiration. Can they and Emery find it in the January window?