Arsenal fans in the Football Transfer Tavern are certainly more upbeat than they were this time last month.
A month ago the Gunners had just suffered an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Southampton at St Mary’s on New Year’s Day, a result which was compounded by the fact a supporter ran onto the touchline to berate Arsene Wenger.
Not only that but Wojciech Szczesny endured a torrid day between the sticks where both he and his Gunners defenders were at fault for the sloppy goals they conceded and ever since, David Ospina has been favoured in Premier League fixtures.
However since that fateful day on the south coast, Arsenal and Wenger have turned things around, winning each and every one of their games since.
Arsene Wenger even surprised us by signing a central defender in the January transfer window and whilst they may still be an established defensive midfielder short of where the supporters would like them to be, the feeling is that the Gunners are moving in the right direction – even without the transfer XI they might have had.
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Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal the transfer XI Arsenal could’ve had this January.
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Iker Casillas
Despite the recent positive form from David Ospina, Arsene Wenger is reportedly still on the hunt for a long-term number one. Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham have shown the sort of class that is required, with David De Gea, Thibaut Courtois and Hugo Lloris all outstanding so far this season.
Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas has been linked with a move away from some time but this may well be a deal that is sealed in the summer should Madrid manage to lure De Gea from Manchester United.
Nathaniel Clyne, Mats Hummels, Benedikt Howedes, Martin Montoya
Arsenal supporters are happy with the addition of Brazilian centre back Gabriel Paulista given the injury problems they have endured in that position so far this season.
German World Cup winners Mats Hummels and Benedikt Howedes were both strongly linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium at various points leading up to the transfer window but Wenger had his sights set on Paulista all along.
With Mathieu Debuchy’s injury problems, Arsenal were also said to be in the hunt for Southampton star Nathaniel Clyne whilst Barcelona full back Martin Montoya is reportedly desperate for a move to the Premier League having struggled for first team football at the Camp Nou.
Morgan Schneiderlin, William Carvalho, Asier Illarremendi
The recent form of Francis Coquelin seems to have convinced Arsene Wenger he does not need to enter the market for another defensive midfielder.
Prior to the emergence of Coquelin – and throughout last month – reports linked Wenger with a move for Southampton star Morgan Schneiderlin, with the offer of Champions League football for the second half of last season believed to be enough to turn the head of the French international.
Sporting Lisbon’s rising star William Carvalho was also linked but the Gunners were unwilling to cough up the £30 million which the Portuguese giants were demanding.
Towards the end of the window, Arsenal were also linked with Real Madrid playmaker Asier Illarremendi who has been struggling for regular first team football at the Bernabeu. This may well be a move that Arsenal look to revisit in the summer.
Marco Reus, Mario Mandzukic, Julian Draxler
Arsenal currently boast one of the most exciting attacks in the Premier League with Alexis Sanchez on fire and Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott returning to form and fitness once more.
But still, the Gunners have found themselves linked with a number of attacking reinforcements in recent months. German duo Marco Reus and Julian Draxler have been long-term targets for the club yet it remains to be seen as to whether Arsenal have left it too late to make their moves with a host of top European clubs interested in both players.
Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic was one of the more surprising names to be linked with Arsenal of late, given that he only completed his move to the Spanish capital in the summer.
The arrival of Fernando Torres may have pushed the Croatian international down the pecking order and the fact Arsenal showed an interest in him during his time at Bayern Munich meant he was mentioned as a possible target once again.
