Arsenal will be watching the transfer market keenly as it opens for one month in the middle of the season. The Gunners are third in the Premier League, six points adrift of league leaders Liverpool having played a game more than the Merseysiders.
Mikel Arteta's side have failed to capitalise on back-to-back draws for the Reds, suffering back-to-back draw themselves to remain adrift of their title rivals.
And they have slipped behind Chelsea as a result too, with the Blues now sitting as Liverpool's closest challengers. There is still a long way to go, but Arsenal may well look to the mid-season transfer window as an opportunity to strengthen even further.
It is not a window they are regularly busy in. They did not do any business last January, with three signings in the 2022/23 window - Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho arriving. Auston Trusty was the only signing the season before that, with Martin Odegaard and Mat Ryan arriving on loan in the 2020/21 season.
And Arteta has openly admitted to not preparing for a busy January off the pitch either. Speaking after the draw with Everton, he said: "I never expect January to be super busy but we have to wait and see where we are."
However, the Spaniard did follow that up with an intriguing four words: "Some surprises can come."
He continued: "We are prepared for that. Some opportunities too. We have to see. Hopefully the availability of the squad will be better in a few weeks. We have to wait and see."
That 'surprises' quote just teases everyone into thinking there could be some deals that Arsenal get over the line in January to bolster their squad. Up front is where many see them as requiring help, with Kai Havertz only scoring once in the last two months and Gabriel Jesus having found the net just once all season.
Marcus Rashford was left out of the Manchester United squad altogether for the derby with Man City at the weekend and that has led to renewed speculation over his future. Arsenal have been linked in the past and are being tipped to make a move again.
Rashford to the Emirates Stadium would certainly fall under the category of "surprising" deals to be done in January, but stranger things have happened. And if Arteta can get the best out of the England man, he would have an ideal frontman for his system.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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