Arsenal transfer targets: Who are the club looking to sign this January?

The January transfer window is on the horizon, with many an Arsenal fan hoping their club dips into the market within the next months.

The Gunners are renowned for their frugal transfer policy under manager Arsene Wenger, evidenced by the fact that they were the only club in Europe's top five leagues not to sign an outfield player in the summer.

Goalkeeper Petr Čech was the only star signing making his way to the Emirates in the last window, but Arsenal have impressed far more than some of their big-spending rivals so far this season.

The north Londoners sit 2nd in the Premier League table, just two points behind surprise leaders Leicester City. The openness and unpredictability of the league this season means many Arsenal fans feel that they will never have a better chance to win a first league title since 2004.

But a shock 4-0 defeat away to Southampton on Boxing Day raised questions once again if a lack of investment from the club will come back to haunt them in May. They now have January to strengthen their title challenge, and top of many fans' demands will be a defensive midfielder to fill in for the injured Francis Coquelin and another striker to bolster the club's attacking options.

So who could be joining Arsenal in the next month? IBTimes UK sports editor Nick Howson gives his views on who he thinks could be arriving at the Emirates.