Squad needs often inform any January business. If injuries continue to strike in defence, Arsenal may be forced to look at a sticking-plaster solution to ensure they have sufficient depth until the end of the season. The emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly as a serious option at left-back has somewhat assuaged that need.

There are three new additions to this side, and they’re very exciting to say the least. Illan Meslier comes in between the sticks, and while the Leeds goalkeeper isn’t likely to be Arsenal’s starting option ahead of David Raya, he’ll still have a key part to play.

Mikel Arteta is not expecting to be too busy in the January transfer window. Arsenal are well set in the Premier League title race, sitting third in the table and maybe one or two reinforcements could help strengthen matters in the second half of the season.

What needs to be done in the transfer market in 2025 will be heavily influenced by the futures of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose current deals all expire at the end of this season. All three have received contract offers from the club, but who stays and who goes remains unclear.