[ad_pod ]

Unai Emery has breathed new life into an Arsenal side who were starting to suffocate under Arsene Wenger and, for the first time in years, there is genuine buzz around the Emirates as fans feel that there is real potential for success this season and beyond.

The Gunners have a solid spine of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and Lucas Torreira, but one feels that there are still areas that are in desperate need of reinforcement - should these weak points be addressed appropriately in the January transfer window, the north London club have every chance of finishing in the top four and, more importantly, above rivals Spurs.

Unfortunately, success doesn't tend to come cheap in the modern game - an anomalous 2016/17 season aside - as the Pep Guardiolas and the Jose Mourinhos of the Premier League spend stupid amounts on their respective squads, so for Emery and his team to really push for Champions League spots cash must be splashed.

Click through the gallery to see how Sven Mislintat and co. can get the best bang for their buck...

Daniele Rugani is regarded as one of the most promising young centre-backs that Europe has to offer and it would surely require a sizeable fee to prize the Italian away from the Old Lady but it is undoubtedly worth it.

The current Arsenal crop of defenders includes Sokratis, Nacho Monreal and Stephan Lichtsteiner - all of which are in their thirties and thus the twilight of their careers, and so bringing a ball-playing centre-half with a lot more time on his hands should be a priority for Emery as he looks to shape his back line for years to come. Rob Holding needs a partner for the long term and Rugani should be that man.

Former Juventus man Lichtsteiner could play a huge hand in this deal coming to fruition and so it's not as an unrealistic transfer as it first seems - the project going on at the Emirates is an attractive one.

Brais Mendez isn't yet a household name but would surely become one if he got a move to Arsenal, the Spaniard recently received a first call up to the senior national side and has chalked up three goals and three assists for Celta Vigo this season already.

The 21-year-old is capable of playing as a wide or central attacking midfielder and his eye for a pass and long range shooting would add a different dimension to the Gunners attack.

Completing 2.1 key passes and taking on 2.5 shots per game, the Sky Blues academy graduate is heavily involved in the attack but is far from a passenger in defence as he averages 1.7 tackles per game, too (WhoScored).

Valued at just £5.4m by Transfermarkt, the maestro could be one of the bargains of the window if Emery snaps him up.

Ben Chilwell is arguably England's best option at left-back after being called up in October once Luke Shaw withdrew from the squad due to injury and Emery must look at him as a huge upgrade on both Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac.

The former is in his twilight years now and the latter doesn't seem to be fully trusted by the Gunners boss so finding a player who he can depend on through the remainder of the season and beyond should be of paramount importance if he wants to keep pace with the top four.

Scooping the man of the match award on two occasions, the 21-year-old is capable of stealing the show himself and has the technical and crossing ability to bring the absolute best out of the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.