Arsenal have crept away from their typically torturous November with their season hopes still very much intact. Rather than the destruction that is so often seen at the Emirates Stadium during this time of year, the club have battled through a period of indifferent performances to remain competitive both in the Premier League and Champions League.

Whether Arsene Wenger did much differently this year is hard to tell, as his decision making seemed as curious as ever. Perhaps these improved results were a consequence of the relative success of their summer transfer window, which saw the Gunners operate in a markedly more ruthless fashion as they secured the targets they have craved for several campaigns.

Something might have just changed at Arsenal. The club should be well aware that this season is one of their better opportunities to lift major silverware, with many of their key players performing at somewhere near their best form.

With that in mind, they must be open to spending significantly in the January transfer window, particularly in these FIVE areas…

Right-back

With Hector Bellerin out injured, Arsene Wenger has shown that he has little faith in Carl Jenkinson, as he dropped him at the weekend. Mathieu Debuchy made a shock start in Jenkinson’s place, but has subsequently been ruled out with an injury he sustained early in the game.

Bellerin could well suffer more injuries this season and, with Arsenal reliant on the attacking threat he poses down the flank, they must sign a replacement as soon as possible.

Central defence

Despite the overwhelming success of Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny’s partnership to date, there are still question marks about the heart of Arsenal’s defence. Rob Holding has looked okay when asked to fill in, yes, but Gabriel Paulista continues to be rash in his decision making.

An injury to either of Mustafi or Koscielny still looks like it could seriously derail Arsenal’s season and that is something Wenger cannot afford with only a year or two left in his tenure.

Anchor man

Granit Xhaka and Francis Coquelin have both had their opportunities at the base of Arsenal’s midfield so far this season, but neither have really made the role their own. Frankly questionable decision-making from Xhaka has again cost the team at times, while Coquelin’s limitations in possession mean that the rest of the team must be selected around him.

Few will be available on the market, but the Gunners could go from contenders to title favourites with the right addition.

Alexis mark II

Okay, so it’s a bit much to demand a second player of Alexis Sanchez’s capabilities, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Arsenal need an extra goal scoring forward, perhaps not as much as they have done previously, but there is still a concern that Theo Walcott’s form will again diminish, whilst Lucas Perez has hardly convinced since his summer arrival, and the Gunners will be left with a rigid set of forward options based around Olivier Giroud leading the line.

Another Cazorla

Santi Cazorla has become a player missed so dearly by Arsenal. Should they stick with Francis Coquelin in defensive midfield, it is a necessity that a deep-lying creator plays alongside him, to compensate for his passing limits.

Cazorla has been the answer to that for so long at Arsenal, but the Spaniard is becoming increasingly crippled by injuries as he approaches his 32nd birthday, meaning he is having longer spells on the sidelines.