Could Arsenal's January transfer business decide title fate?

Arsenal are again in the thick of the Premier League title race, but with several deficiencies in the squad, the transfer window will either help or hinder the quest for the title.

Here we sit, 20 games into the Premier League season, with Arsenal fourth in the league table, just five points behind leaders Liverpool.

With the Gunners stuttering and spluttering as they have lost two of their last three, there is a need for Mikel Arteta to help fortify his squad. This is made even more important by the Gunners' exploits in the Champions League.

Ivan Toney has been mentioned as a possible solution to Arsenal's woes in front of goal lately, as the Gunners have reportedly asked the Bees to enter negotiations to get a plus £40m transfer deal done which would include Reiss Nelson.

There have also been reports that Arsenal could be in the market for another winger as the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are playing too much football, and the rotation behind them doesn't instill confidence going forward.

One would have thought that Emile Smith Rowe could be a viable option, but for some reason, he doesn't seem to high on Arteta's pecking order for play time.

Ultimately, we get the sense that any incomings during January will be predicated on outgoings as Eddie Nketiah and Nelson feel like the two who could be moved on. Interest will likely manifest in Aaron Ramsdale, too, given his current situation in north London.

With Arsenal in the thick of the title race and with clear needs within the squad, it will be a defining month for the club. If the Gunners do falter down the stretch as they did last season due to personnel, we could look back at the January window as where the Gunners didn't give themselves the best chance at claiming the title.