Who I'd like to see Arsenal buy in January

Arsene Wenger is almost certainly likely to strengthen Arsenal's squad in January.

I doubt he fears the probable backlash from supporters should he fail to act,  but even Wenger knows that this current Arsenal team is a long way from being successful and needs urgent surgery.

There is an outside chance of salvaging the season should Wenger make the right moves - the FA Cup is obviously achievable if Wenger goes for it, although I don't see any hope of winning the Champions League with the current squad.

Meanwhile, Arsenal's success in the transfer market will largely be dependent on whereabouts forthcoming purchases are currently plying their trade.

Players already acclimatised to the Premiership would be far more suitable right now, the likes of Andrei Arshavin - much touted by the media, would require a minimum of 3-4 months to adapt.

By the way, I don't see Wenger moving for Arshavin - the agent is talking the move up too much, and most of it seems more out of hope than expectation. Arshavin is the right age (27), but has only played for one club his entire career (Zenit Saint Petersburg) in a lightweight Russian league. Arshavin has never been tested at the top domestic level and is therefore likely to struggle to adapt to English football.

Recent reports have quoted Wenger as saying that up to two experienced midfielders are required, which is somewhat an admission of failure on his part. Should Wenger make two midfield signings you would have to put a major question mark over the futures of Eboue, Song, Denilson or Diaby. Most likely the former two, and possibly Diaby as well what with Wilshere and Ramsey coming through the ranks.

Who would I like to see Wenger buy? I would prefer to see Premiership-based players for the above-mentioned reasons, but this may not be exclusively necessary. My preference would be the following three players.

1. Mikel Arteta

The 26-year-old right winger is highly experienced in the Premiership having spent 3 years at Everton. He can also play as a defensive midfielder, so is aware of his defensive duties. Arteta is a technically-gifted winger who offers width and can also come inside. His set-piece delivery is excellent. Arteta has scored approximately 24 goals in his three seasons at Everton.

Likelihood? Despite being purchased from Real Sociedad for a measly £2m, I wouldn't be surprised if Arteta carried a price tag of around £12-£15m. Everton would be extremely reluctant to sell, at least at managerial level. I'm pretty sure Arteta, however, would relish the opportuinity to test himself at one of the biggest club's in England.

Financially, Everton appear to be operating stably, making only minor financial losses year-on-year. The surprising summer sale of Andrew Johnson to Fulham for £10.5m probably puts them on a more stable footing but it's unclear whether manager David Moyes has that money to spend. A major bid for Arteta might test the Everton board and Moyes. I think Arteta would be absolutely perfect for Arsenal, but doubt Wenger would spend the £15m or more required to net the player.

2. Alex

The 6ft 3-inch Chelsea stopper seems to tick all the right boxes as far as Arsenal are concerned. Experienced, having played for Santos, PSV and Chelsea (not to mention 27 caps for Brazil), fairly quick, aerially dominating and still only 26. Alex could forge a excellent partnership with William Gallas in the same way Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure were once imperial.

Likelihood? Alex has been a first team regular at Chelsea this season, but is likely to find himself dropped to the bench now that Ricardo Carvalho has returned from long-standing injury. Chelsea have been just fine at the back with Alex, conceding only 9 goals in 20 Premiership games. However, guarantees of being first choice in Wenger's squad could be appealing to Alex.

Meanwhile, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has hinted the he wants the club to be more self-sustainable. Chelsea are £736m in debt and Abramovich ordered the sacking of 15 scouts recently to bring wages down. Manager Phil Scholari has been told he will be given no money to spend in January, but a £10-£12m bid for a third choice centre-back might allow Scholari some leeway.

I would love to see Alex at Arsenal, and Kolo Toure could possibly be sold to recoup much of the price tag  - especially if super-rich Man City become interested. I like and respect Toure - one of my favourite Arsenal players in fact, but he appears to have lost some of his appetite for Arsenal, his performances have been pretty awful since January 2008.

3. Daniele De Rossi

Born in Rome and a product of A.S. Roma's youth system, 25-year-old  De Rossi, is a strong, highly combative defensive midfielder with good technical attributes and vision. He now has 42 caps for Italy. Arsenal are in dire need of a defensive midfielder, it's their major problem position - and De Rossi more than fits the bill.

Likelihood? Roma are a top Serie A side, but more used to being also-rans than winners. They have benefited recently by the Serie A scandal that saw so many top Italian sides either relegated or handed points deductions.

Roma are currently 11th in Serie A and look likely to struggle to make the Champions League next season, whilst rumours of a club takeover are rife. Financially the club appears to be in a good shape though. Can De Rossi be prized from his boyhood club? It could take a £20m bid to get him, and Italian internationals usually only move to England in their twighlight years.

I think it's unlikely, unless Arsenal really make a major push for the player, plus offer a massive wage incentive. Not the Arsenal way, but looking around Europe he's my pick of defensive midfielders who might be attainable.

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However unlikely or achievable, these are my three wants - a trio of  players that would instantly transform this Arsenal side and turn them into serious contenders for just about every trophy going.

They would probably cost the club in the region of £50m though, and I can't see Wenger spending that even though the money is available. I would be delighted if Wenger managed to purchase at least one out of the three though, and brought one or two other experienced signings in.

Other areas of concern at Arsenal are the goalkeeping position. Shay Given has been mentioned as a replacement for Manuel Almunia - and although I believe Given would more than welcome the move I doubt Wenger sees the goalkeeping position as top priority. Almunia is not world class, but he's capable - Given would be an upgrade that could wait until the summer if Almunia fails to impress for the rest of the season.

Up front, I feel Arsenal have the firepower, especially with Eduardo soon to return. One of the reasons for Arsenal's lack of goals is lack of creativity and ability to dominate the midfield - particularly Denilson, Song and Diaby, but if Arsenal were to sign a striker then Carlos Tevez would be my vaguely obtainable first choice. I think he might be interested too, as I very much doubt he's playing as much as he would like at Man Utd.

However, Eduardo, Adebayor, Van Persie are at good ages and there's surely a lot more to come from all three of them + there's bright prospects such as Vela and Walcott in reserve, less so Bendtner.

Other players I would like to see join? Worldwide, apart from obvious and unrealistic choices such as Messi and Kaka - I wouldn't say no to Franck Ribery - the 25-year-old Bayern winger. However,  I see no reason why he would leave Bayern or why they would sell, he only joined the club in July 2007. Ribery is a pipe dream.

I also admire all-action German defensive midfielder Torsten Frings, although he's just turned 32. Too old for Wenger.

Locally, my only other picks of the Premiership would probably be Aston Villa centre back Martin Laursen, Everton's combatant Tim Cahill, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, and Portsmouth centre back Sylvain Distin.

As this is my last post of 2008, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Arsenal readers of my blog a very Happy New Year.

2008 has been a difficult and disappointing season for Arsenal supporters for many reasons, and I have to admit that my unwavering support for Arsene Wenger has become severely stretched at times. However, we have to believe he has the wisdom to turn things around, and his transfer activity in January will go a long way towards dictating that.

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