After some questionable performances and results over the festive period, Arsenal fans in the Football Transfer Tavern will certainly be feeling much happier after successive wins on the road against Preston North End in the FA Cup, and then Swansea in the Premier League last weekend.

The 4-0 thrashing of the latter lifted the Gunners back into the top four after they had been knocked out of it by north London rivals Tottenham for a couple of hours – much to the annoyance of the punters in the pub – meaning they now lie eight points behind leaders Chelsea.

With less than two weeks of the January transfer window remaining, the Arsenal supporters standing at the bar will be wondering whether Arsene Wenger will bring in any more players to his squad to boost their hopes of finishing the campaign strongly.

After struggling to break down the likes of West Brom and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium over Christmas, and with fresh doubts over the future of star man Alexis Sanchez – the landlord doesn’t know how Arsenal could possibly replace the Chilean forward – the Frenchman may be looking to to strengthen his attacking options in particular.

Here are THREE players the Gunners could realistically seal deals for next week…

Dimitri Payet

At his press conference on Thursday morning, Arsene Wenger admitted that he is a fan of West Ham United playmaker Payet, but also that he doesn’t feel he needs him in his Arsenal squad at the moment.

Of course, the French manager is always quite hard to read and when he produces that smirk – the Gunners fans standing at the bar know exactly what I mean – you just don’t know what might be around the corner.

Payet has asked to leave the Irons and looks set to be favouring a move back to Marseille, but you get the feeling that if the Gunners did make a late move for the France international, it would be one that he would find hard to turn down – the punters in the tavern would love his set-pieces alone.

In 18 Premier League appearances this term the 29-year-old has created 72 chances, and it is those amazing stats that could tempt Wenger into making a move this month – the landlord approves.

Rachid Ghezzal

According to reports in France, Arsenal are said to be keeping a close eye on Lyon winger Ghezzal – one that would excite the Gunners fans in the tavern.

The exciting wide man’s contract with the Ligue 1 outfit runs out in the summer and with little progress over penning a new deal, he could be available on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.

Of course, a pre-contract agreement can also be agreed this month before the close of the January transfer window, and it is an option that could tempt Wenger.

The Algeria international has struggled for starts this term because of an ongoing hamstring injury, but he did score eight goals and pick up eight assists in just 29 league appearances for Lyon last season – form that would get the Arsenal fans in the tavern off of their bar stools.

Miralem Pjanic

Earlier this month, it was reported that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sees Pjanic as potential long-term replacement for Santi Cazorla in the Gunners midfield and that he is ready to submit a £28m bid for the 26-year-old – the landlord can’t quite believe that he could cost £4m less than Christian Benteke did!

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international only joined Juventus from Serie A rivals Roma last summer but he has impressed, scoring seven goals and picking up nine assists in 22 appearances in all competitions for the Old Lady – I can already feel a seal of approval from the Arsenal supporters standing at the bar.

The latest suggestion is that Juve entertained the idea of an incredible swap deal involving Alexis Sanchez – one that is unlikely to have been well received by Wenger or the Gunners punters at the tavern.