With 14 points from just as many games played, Arsenal find themselves in 15th place at Christmas, 4 points away from relegation. The Gunners have been disappointing in recent weeks to say the very least, losing to Everton, Burnley, Spurs and Wolves, and picking up only one point in their last five matches from an available 15. That is nothing short of relegation form.

The last time Arsenal won a match was against Manchester United, in November. And things have really not gone according to plan for Mikel Arteta. The decision to leave Mesut Ozil out of the squad seems to be backfiring heavily for the Spaniard, with the Londoners lacking the final ball from central areas.

Mikel Arteta came armed with stats as he spoke about Arsenal's form ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Man City
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 21, 2020

According to the Daily Mail, the Arsenal board will try their best to back Mikel Arteta during the January transfer window. They have hence, arranged for funds to recruit new players to turn around this shocking run of form from the team. The Mail reports that a creative midfielder is a top priority for Arsenal during the upcoming transfer window.

Lyon’s French midfielder Houssem Aouar celebrates after scoring the opener during the French Cup quarter-final football match between Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille at the Groupama stadium in Decines-Charpieu near Lyon, central eastern France on February 12, 2020. (Photo by ROMAIN LAFABREGUE / AFP) (Photo by ROMAIN LAFABREGUE/AFP via Getty Images)

While Dominik Szoboszlai has been picked up by RB Leipzig, Lyon’s Houssem Aouar is still available. Though it looks unlikely that Lyon will allow him to leave in the middle of the season, it is well worth trying. Maxi Gomez is also one of the names linked with Arsenal, especially since Valencia need to sell to keep the books balanced.

Marcel Sabitzer ( 7 RB Leipzig), Lucas Hernandez ( 21 FC Bayern Muenchen) waehrend der Saison 2019-2020 in der 1. Fussball Bundesliga (Herren) zwischen RB Leipzig und FC Bayern M¸nchen in der Red Bull Arena am 14. September 2019 in Leipzig, Sachsen (Saxony), Deutschland (Germany) (DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO) RB Leipzig – FC Bayern M¸nchen Leipzig *** Marcel Sabitzer 7 RB Leipzig , Lucas Hernandez 21 FC Bayern Muenchen during the season 2019 2020 in the 1 Soccer Bundesliga Men between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich in the Red Bull Arena on 14 September 2019 in Leipzig, Saxony Saxony , Germany Germany DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND OR QUASI VIDEO RB Leipzig FC Bayern M¸nchen Leipzig Copyright: xHartmutxBoesenerx/xEibner-Pressefotox EP_hbr

Marcel Sabitzer of RB Leipzig could also prove to be a good transfer for the Gunners since he has the leadership qualities that the team so desperately needs.

Edu, the technical director at the Emirates, recently came out and told the media that the board sees Mikel Arteta as the manager to lead the club into the future despite their dismal run of form in recent weeks. He went on to say that no matter what, Arteta would be the manager for the future.

Managing any Big Six club is never easy, and Arteta must find a way to recruit sensibly in order to turn things around. The team needs leaders, and not youngsters who need time to develop.