Arsenal’s frightening XI if Edu completes three world-class January signings

Arsenal director Edu has been credited with an interest in signing plenty of top-class targets ahead of the upcoming January window. The Gunners were the Premier League’s biggest spenders over the summer and look set to lead a busy mid-season recruitment drive as they prepare to mount a renewed assault on the division’s upper reaches.

Raheem Sterling is among the high-profile names to have been linked with Arsenal in recent weeks amid his lack of regular game time at Manchester City.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are said to be in talks with Fiorentina over a move for Dusan Vlahovic, while a return to the Emirates Stadium for Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also been touted.

Express Sport takes a look at the Arsenal side that could feature in the second half of the season if they manage to land all three players before the January window slams shut.

Goalkeeper – Ramsdale

Aaron Ramsdale has tightened his grip on a starting spot in recent weeks after a number of hugely impressive performances between the sticks.

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The former Sheffield United and Bournemouth stopper is likely to keep his place in the side ahead of Bernd Leno for the rest of the season as a result of his brilliant start to life in north London.

Defence – Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney

Takehiro Tomiyasu has turned plenty of heads with his efforts on the right-hand side of Arsenal’s back four since his deadline-day move back in August.

He will continue to feature over the likes of Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares when fully fit, while fellow new arrival Ben White has also found his stride at the heart of the defence.

The latter will likely be partnered by Gabriel Magalhaes on a first-choice basis between now and the end of the season, with Kieran Tierney completing Arsenal’s back line at left-back.

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Midfield – Partey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Smith Rowe

The arrival of Oxlade-Chamberlain could see the former Arsenal man return to the fray alongside Thomas Partey in the engine room.

Albert Sambi Lokonga has impressed when called upon by Mikel Arteta, but is still young and needs to improve his all-round game to justify a weekly starting spot over either of the aforementioned duo.

Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe has been one of Arsenal’s shining lights this season and should retain his place in the No 10 role for the foreseeable future.

He has successfully kept Martin Odegaard out of the side in recent weeks and will be tasked with not allowing his standards to drop over the rest of the season.

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Attack – Sterling, Vlahovic, Saka

Arsenal would reap the rewards of bringing Sterling and Vlahovic to north London in the mid-season market, although moves for both players could be difficult to engineer.

The former is believed to be angling for a new challenge after falling down the pecking order at City, while the latter will be out of contract in the summer and is not expected to sign fresh terms with Fiorentina.

Arsenal are currently facing the possibility of losing Alexandre Lacazette and potentially Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ahead of next season, with the addition of Vlahovic able to provide Arteta with a prolific long-term solution at the top of the pitch.

With Bukayo Saka primed to reprise his starring role on the wing and the likes of Nicolas Pepe able to offer additional cover on the flanks, Arsenal could experience plenty of joy in attack as they aim to seal a top-six finish at the end of the campaign.