With the transfer window fast approaching, many Arsenal fans will be looking to Arsene Wenger to strengthen his side ahead of the second half of the Premier League campaign. Currently sitting in second place just 3 points behind Antonio Conte's impressive Chelsea side, many will still believe that this could be their year.

 

However, the injury to playmaker Santi Cazorla in mid-October was greeted with despair by the Emirates faithful, as Wenger lost a player who, at the time, had already scored two league goals and had two assists to his name, as well as a pass success rate of 91% after seven starts and a single substitute appearance; one of the highest in the Premier League. In the eleven games since sustaining that achilles injury against Ludogorets, Arsenal have won just five of their eleven games without him, drawing five and losing one; EFL Cup elimination at the hands of Southampton.

 

So who, realistically, could the Gunners target? I selected three potential names below:

 

 

At just 19 years old, Kessie is attracting the attention of numerous clubs in both Italy and England. An ever present for Atalanta this season, Kessie's powerful running from midfield would give Wenger a physical presence as well as a goal threat. At 83%, Kessie can boast one of the best pass success rates in Serie A and already has five goals and three assists to his name.
With an impressive 1,135 minutes of playing time already this season, there would be no questions about his match fitness or readiness. The only issues Wenger would face would be a reluctant Atalanta, who would be loath to sell their star man in the middle of what is looking like a successful campaign and the rumours of interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Serie A champions Juventus.

 

 

At 24 years old, it feels as if Isco had been around forever. Since his move to the Bernabeu from Malaga in 2013 which saw him tipped as the next big thing, Isco has gone from having his name chanted by the passionate Madridista crowd, to being criticised for being too selfish under then manager Carlo Ancelotti and ultimately finding himself as back up or a substitute at best under Rafa Benitez.   

Gifted with a wonderful right foot, it is arguable that Isco could thrive under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger and perfectly compliment the in-form Alexis Sanchez. Most importantly, his contract with Los Blancos is due to expire in 2018 which makes him a realistic and affordable option, possibly even on- loan. However with the loss of Gareth Bale through injury will Madrid be prepared to let Isco go in January?

 

Isco has flitted in and out of the Madrid side this season under coach Zinedine Zidane; in the last six games he’s started four and made two substitute appearances, which may sound like a player who is a first team regular, however, he has played just 276 of a possible 540 minutes, just 51%. Despite limited time on the pitch, Isco has an impressive 90% pass success rate with two goals and two assists to his name. While Zidane himself has called Isco a "purist’s player", you have to wonder how long he will be happy with a bit part role when he has the talent to be the main man elsewhere.

 

 

Once an ever present under Jose Mourinho, Oscar has found minutes tough to come by this season. With just five starts and four substitute appearances so far, the diminutive Brazilian has cut a frustrated figure at Stamford Bridge. 

 

While it may be madness to suggest Roman Abramovich would allow a player to go to a direct rival, he may view it as good business to cash in on a player, who still has a contract until 2019 and let's not forget, no one could have foreseen Robin van Persie in anything other than an Arsenal jersey before his shock move to Old Trafford. Likewise, Chelsea have let rival clubs sign their best players before; Juan Mata's move to Manchester United was met with howls of derision and days of denial by the Stamford Bridge faithful.

 

Conte may well believe his squad minus Oscar is good enough to win the title and be more than willing to let the player seek a new challenge, even if it is across the city. Despite limited playing time, an 84% pass success rate is mightily impressive and the main attraction of Oscar is that he is already settled in the city of London and knows the Premier League well enough to come in and make an immediate impact.




James McGhie (@jrmcghie) is the founder of @SemprePodcast,the original & best SSC Napoli podcast for English speaking supporters across the world.