The transfer window opens tomorrow, and so begins 31 days of speculation and gossip.

Only one of those days is likely to involve the majority of transfers taking place, as everyone loves a deadline day deal.

The 31st January was by far the busiest day in 2017, and I don’t expect things to be any different this time around.

Other than speculation and gossip, one thing you can be sure to see in January is a lot of loans, if last season is anything to go by.

Last January Arsenal loaned out eleven players and brought in one.

Among the eleven who left were Chuba Akpom, Gedion Zelalem, Matt Macey and Krystian Bielik, all of whom are still on the books now, and could end up going out again this time around. Others like Dan Crowley or Jon Toral have left the club for good, whilst a few. like Stephy Mavididi and Marc Bola are already on loan.

The reason why so many players leave on loan in January is that the early League Cup games are over, and the regular starting eleven tends to be relatively settled.

After January, there won’t be many chances for youngsters who aren’t ready for regular first-team action, and clubs from the lower divisions and around Europe are clear about the kind of players they’re missing, or the positions they need back-up for.

Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Ben Sheaf, Josh Dasilva and Marcus McGuane have all been given senior minutes since the season began, but seven young players aren’t going to become first-team regulars all at once. I’d expect a number of those to leave before January 31st.

The one player Arsenal brought in last year was Cohen Bramall from Hednesford Town, so I wouldn’t get your hopes up at any big spending from the Gunners in the winter window.

The club made a profit over the summer, but that was largely negated by the reduction in match-day revenue, prize and TV money as a result of the move from Champions League football to Europa League football.

However, there’s always hope.

In January 2009, Andrei Arshavin became Arsenal’s record signing, joining the Gunners for £15m.

Arsenal would have to spend around £50m to break their record again this time around. The only way I can see that happening is if Mesut Özil or Alexis Sanchez depart at the same time, which leads me on to the other important part of the upcoming window.

If Alexis and Özil don’t have new contracts signed by January 1st, which they won’t, any foreign club can talk to them, and try to negotiate a deal to sign them for free at the end of the season.

In addition, any smart English clubs could make a bid, knowing that Arsenal face losing their stars for nothing, so might even consider a lowball offer.

In my opinion, Arsenal need to hang onto the pair to help them reclaim a place back in the Champions League.

After that, they can do what they want.