3 players Arsenal should try to sign in January transfer window
Nacer Barazite. Thomas Eisfeld. Mart Poom. Cedric Evina. Guillaume Warmuz.
For every Sol Campbell, Jose Antonio Reyes, Nacho Monreal, and Theo Walcott, there are dozens like those above, players signed in the winter transfer window whose names quickly become an afterthought.
Perhaps it's the lack of bona fide talents available in the window that has contributed to Arsenal's reluctance for post-holiday shopping, or maybe it's the fact that players of the pedigree necessary to improve the first team are a rarity at the midway point that results in the Gunners' inactivity.
With a squad no worse than two-deep at every position, here's an unreasonably optimistic look at a trio of players Arsene Wenger could lure to the Emirates:
Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid)
Jose Gimenez's role has been reduced since Arsenal's reported pursuit last summer, but that won't have an impact on the asking price as Atletico Madrid will continue to demand a small fortune for the promising Uruguayan defender.
Once tipped to be an integral part of Atletico's defensive scheme for years to come, the 21-year-old finds himself in a weekly struggle to prove he's worth of a spot in Diego Simeone's squad. It's a conundrum without a clear answer or solution, as Gimenez's sparing deployment at the back in the opening half of the season suggests his future may lie outside of Madrid.
His frustrating start, however, likely won't deter Arsenal, as well as Manchester United, from reigniting its interest in Gimenez.
Arsenal's current make-up at the back doesn't necessarily present a need for another centre-back, but considering the team's recent defensive injury concerns, one would have to presume Wenger will continue to monitor Gimenez's situation over the next few weeks and, at least, inquire about his availability. - GB
Other recommended buys: Virgil van Dijk (Southampton), recall Calum Chambers (Middlesbrough)
Naby Keita (RB Leipzig)
Perhaps one of the Premier League's most underrated players, Santi Cazorla's influence on the Gunners is surely not lost on the Arsenal faithful.
A resourceful player equally capable of assuming the role of midfield metronome as he is stringing together a series of incisive long balls and dictating matters, without the diminutive Spaniard, Arsenal has been a shadow of its best self.
Cazorla hasn't played since the mid-October drubbing of Ludogorets, as Wenger continues to search for a capable midfield pairing, and at 32 years old with six months left on his deal at the Emirates, a replacement for the two-footed wizard needs to soon become a priority for the manager.
If the north Londoners fancy a young player capable of maturing into a similar box-to-box role, RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita fits the profile.
Keita, 21, has enjoyed a meteoric rise parallel with that of the contentious Bundesliga side. Four years ago, Keita was plying his trade in obscurity in his homeland Guinea with Horoya before switching to Ligue 2 side Istres and eventually Leipzig's Austrian brethren Red Bull Salzburg.
A versatile defensive mid with an eye for forward runs, Keita has emerged as one of the continent's future stars, and rightly so. Few young players match passing accuracy numbers with tackles and interceptions like Keita, and his talent for passes in excess of 15 yards is world class.
While Keita has yet to develop a Cazorla-like ability to keep possession, he's one of a handful of young players in Europe's top-five leagues capable of blossoming into a role similar to that of the Spaniard 11 years his senior. - MC
Other recommended buys: Mahmoud Dahoud (Monchengladbach)
Jordan Amavi (Aston Villa)
After a stunning 2015-16 campaign, Nacho Monreal's listless pace has become a point of emphasis for opposing managers this season.
Look no further than Raheem Sterling's performance against the former Malaga standout in Manchester City's 2-1 triumph, or when Modou Barrow did so for Swansea, or days later when Adama Traore's marauding momentum spun Monreal like a top five pints into a liquid lunch.
While Wenger has the benefit of a speedier Kieran Gibbs in the squad, the need for a first-choice left-back has become apparent, and it wouldn't hurt Arsenal's cause to start entertaining the prospects of shopping for one now.
Whether or not Aston Villa can again return to the top flight, French youth international Jordan Amavi could be Arsenal's guy.
The 22-year-old has bounced back from a horrendous injury while on international duty last season to make 18 Championship appearances, prompting interest from several marquee clubs, an approach not lost on Villa chairman Tony Xia.
Even if the Birmingham bottlers hike up the price for the Nice product, Wenger and co. could do worse than make an inquiry into the left-back equally as adept surging down the flanks as he is in breaking up attacks. - MC
Other recommended buys: Fernando Marcal (Benfica, on loan at Guingamp)