5 players who have been linked with January moves to Arsenal

Arsenal have steadied their ship and returned to the top four in the Premier League standings. However, they are still not at their best and need more reinforcements to seal their place in next season's Champions League.

Mikel Arteta's side have been linked with a host of players for the upcoming transfer window. With reports of a few players, including club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, on their way out, the club will be keen to reinvest the cash to bring in new faces.

Here are 5 players who have been linked with January moves to Arsenal:

#5 - Arthur Melo

Mohamed Elneny's future at Arsenal is in the balance, and the Egyptian has one foot out of the club already. If reports are to be believed, Mikel Arteta has already identified his replacement and sees Arthur Melo as the ideal fit.

The Juventus midfielder has not been able to do well at the Italian club and is looking to leave next year. Arsenal are keen to land the Brazilian on a cut-price deal.

Apart from Elneny, Arsenal also have the future of Ainsley Maitland-Niles to worry about as the Englishman wanted to leave last summer. He has not played much in the last few months and is very likely to request a transfer away from the club once again.

#4 - Aaron Ramsey

Arthur Melo is not the only Juventus midfielder Arsenal are chasing this upcoming window. Reports in Italy suggest Aaron Ramsey is also on their radar and the Welshman is open to rejoining the Emirates.

The former Gunners midfielder was linked with a move back to the Premier League in the last couple of windows but stayed put at Juventus. However, things have changed at the Italian club and Ramsey is said to be open to leaving if he is guaranteed a starting role at Arsenal.

Ramsey joined Arsenal in 2008 from Cardiff City and went on to spend 11 years at the club – making over 370 appearances. He did not renew his contract and moved to Juventus on a free transfer in 2019. However, he failed to make an impression in Italy.

Arsenal do have Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe doing well in the attacking midfield role, so a move for Ramsey could be a big gamble.

#3 - Houssem Aouar

In the last two transfer windows, Arsenal fans were desperate to see Houssem Aouar move to the Emirates. The hype has died down, but the links are back as reports in France claim Arteta is keen on signing the Lyon star.

The midfielder was offered to various clubs across Europe during the summer, but no move materialized for the Frenchman. He has done well at Lyon and played in numerous positions – scoring three goals and assisting twice in his 18 league appearances this season.

Arsenal are reportedly back in for the Lyon star as they believe he would be an ideal replacement for Thomas Partey when he leaves for AFCON. They want to use the Frenchman as a back-up option for the former Atletico Madrid midfielder, who has been injured quite often at Emirates.

#2 - Guido Rodriguez

Arsenal's main priority this upcoming window seems to be midfield as reports have been linking them with a number of midfielders. Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis is the latest on the ever-growing list and Arteta is said to be the one pushing for the move.

The 27-year-old joined Betis last season and has been impressive in the defensive midfield role for the Spanish club. Arsenal now see him as the ideal partner for Sambi Lokonga as Partey's injury issues have seen him spend too much time on the sidelines.

Granit Xhaka has signed a new deal this summer at Arsenal but his future is still in the balance as reports suggest the Gunners are open to selling him. AS Roma are the ones leading the chase once again, and if the asking price is met, the Swiss star might be off to Serie A.

#1 - Jonathan David

Arsenal's other primary transfer plan has to be signing a striker soon as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been isolated from the squad. The other senior striker is Alexandre Lacazette, whose contract is set to expire next year. The Gunners do not have an experienced striker on the bench if the duo leaves the club next year.

Jonathan David is the man linked with Arsenal right now after his impressive performances for Lille. The Canadian has 11 goals in 18 games this season in Ligue1, along with three goals in six games in the Champions League.

Arsenal are not the only club chasing the Ligue1 star as reports have linked Liverpool with the €50 million-rated striker.