5 players Arsenal could have signed in the 2022 January transfer window

#3 Tariq Lamptey

Tariq Lamptey flies down the wing for Brighton.

With 30-year-old Cedric Soares' Arsenal future uncertain, Takehiro Tomiyasu is the only proper right-back at Mikel Arteta's disposal. The Gunners were reportedly interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion's 21-year-old right-back Tariq Lamptey.

The former Chelsea youth product has impressed with his displays for Graham Potter's Seagulls. Blessed with rapid pace, quick feet and an eye for a cross, Lamptey's attacking threat is enough to cover for his short stature and defensive frailties.

However, the youngster appears rather injury-prone and made just 11 league appearances for Brighton last season. The Seagulls' asking price of £40million is also steep for a player who has made just 36 first-team appearances. However, with Manchester United also reportedly interested, Lamptey is certainly a man in demand.

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#2 Dusan Vlahovic

Arsenal have missed out on Dusan Vlahovic.

Despite their pursuit of 22-year-old Dusan Vlahovic ending in failure, Arsenal can hardly be faulted for a lack of trying. The Gunners pushed hard and were ready to break the bank to sign Fiorentina's Serbian forward. Unfortunately, Vlahovic decided to reject the Gunners and signed with Juventus instead.

The Bianconeri reportedly paid a fee in the range of £63-70million for the young centre-forward and it is easy to see why. Vlahovic has 38 league goals since the start of the 2020-21 season, including 17 in 21 games this campaign.

The tall, powerful striker would have been the perfect acquisition for the Gunners, but the London side now have no choice but to continue their hunt elsewhere.

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#1 Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates against Arsenal.

England and Everton centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been on Arsenal's radar for some time now. The 24-year-old enjoyed the most productive season of his career last year, netting 21 goals in 39 appearances for the Toffees. He also scored four times in 11 games for his national team.

Everton's wretched form in the 2021-22 campaign has further fuelled rumors that Calvert-Lewin could eventually look for a move to greener pastures. The Merseyside club were hurtling towards the relegation zone and sacked Rafa Benitez last month.

Matters were not helped by Calvert-Lewin's persistent injury troubles in the first half of the season. He has been restricted to just six league appearances so far this season, scoring three times.

With new manager Frank Lampard in the dugout, it is likely that the second half of the ongoing campaign will decide Calvert-Lewin's future.

If Everton continue to struggle, it would not be a surprise to see Arsenal tempt the England international with a big-money move this summer.