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Surely the January transfer window offers Arsene Wenger a springboard to success.

The right deal, a new signing and suddenly Arsenal's title challenge can be given a huge lift.

The problem is, Wenger keeps saying that he doesn't like the winter window, even if he has done some big business in the past.

Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor, Andrey Arshavin, Abou Diaby and Jose Antonio Reyes. Of all of those, Walcott has been his best buy .

But Reyes is often wrongly dismissed as a bad buy. He arrived in January 2004, gave the Invincibles side a lift as they won the title that season. Arsenal made a huge profit on Adebayor.

So the right deal in January can be very positive . And, rather like 2004, this team needs a lift because Olivier Giroud has been left tired, battered and bruised because he has largely been Arsenal's only centre forward.

Now he's got an ankle knock (although he wants to play on Saturday and the medical staff are trying to urge caution) and Nicklas Bendtner is out for three weeks. Lukas Podolski showed against Cardiff he's no central striker and is probably best as a supersub.

Put simply, Arsenal could do with a striker. That's always been the worry this season and now comes the time when Wenger can go out an get one.

If he keeps his hand in his pocket then maybe Arsenal will fall short.

Where do they need to strengthen?

Up front. No doubt about it. Giroud has been nothing short of heroic, not only playing every week but playing brilliantly with goals and assists.

I get the impression that Wenger would have played Bendtner more – he's been very impressed with the way he's come back – but for worries about how the fans would react.

Now Bendtner is out for a few weeks and it highlights the chronic shortage which has been the worry all season.

I think Arsenal want a big striker. But you can't generally do a Diego Costa mid-season. Agents will tell you otherwise (money can buy you anything) but they are hard to do.

So, Arsenal must be looking short term. Tottenham think Alvaro Morata (the young Real Madrid striker) is going to Arsenal on a short term loan. That would be a perfect solution.

Wenger has been heavily linked this week with Fulham's Dimitar Berbatov, on social media, in The Times on Monday and in The Sun on Thursday.

Wenger has been rather dismissive of Berbatov (probably means he's keen and he's bluffing!) and would you really want a striker with an attitude to upset a very close knit squad? It's a gamble.

They fancy Standard Liege starlet Michy Batshuayi but that would probably be as a loan back. Don't forget Arsenal have Joel Campbell out on loan.

They have been looking intensely in Germany for a striker.

If I was a betting man, up until Bendtner got injured, I wouldn't have been surprised if Arsenal did nothing. Now Bendtner has got injured that may have changed the outlook.

I certainly don't think they were ever interested in Yohan Cabaye for January. Maybe in the summer as he can perhaps be a long term solution playing in the 2 in Arsenal's 4-2-3-1 formation. But not now. No-one else now.

How much money is there to spend?

As much as Wenger wants. Arsenal have a huge budget. They proved that with the deal for Mesut Ozil – and there's more cash. Arsenal now have real spending power and intent. That is not an issue.

Who is heading for the exit door?

Schalke want Lukasz Fabianski – and ideally they'd like him in January. I can't believe Arsenal will do it now.

Bacary Sagna remains a worry. Wenger seems confident he will stay. When I've written stories on him staying, I've written them from Wenger's perspective. Wenger is confident etc. Wenger has offered new deal etc. Because the truth is that I'm not convinced Sagna will stay. Sagna has been offered a two year deal (he can get a four year deal elsewhere) on similar money to what he's on now.

In the past, Sagna has stayed loyal whereas others have left. Shouldn't that loyalty be rewarded? He's an outstanding full back and it would be cheaper to keep him than replace him.

(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Sagna is 31 this year, he's been overlooked for the captaincy in the past, he's a great club man. He can also talk to foreign clubs in January. I think he'll give 100 per cent until the end of the season.

Some players reach a stage where they need a change because, like all of us, we can become a bit sour, disillusioned and feel unloved. It's my feeling that Sagna, together with wanting to win something, is in that zone.

And in conclusion, will Arsenal be busy? No.