Mikel Arteta has confirmed internal talks have started over the January transfer window, with a lot to be done in the next two windows.

After a busy summer on the transfer front, Arsenal appear to be reaping the rewards of some good business.

Though the team still aren’t where they want to be in the table, they’re certainly in a better position than at this point last year. That’s despite naming a very inexperienced side we hope will only get better with time.

But that raises the question of how Arsenal should approach the January transfer window.

On the one hand, the club have just spent a lot of money, and they really need to focus on qualifying for Europe and making some good sales to balance the books before investing further.

On the other, if a January signing could make the difference between finishing in a European place or missing out, it could be worth the initial hit.

With a number of expiring contract situations to deal with as well, Mikel Arteta admitted there’s still work to be done.

“We are in discussion,” Arteta said. “We have talks every week about it, how we can improve the team, and what things can happen in the January transfer window that can affect our squad.

“As you know, we have certain players with a little bit of uncertainty in the summer so we have to plan what’s going to happen now and what’s going to happen in the summer.

“A lot has to be done, we know and we don’t expect big things to be happening, but we need to be very alert in the market to see if we can improve the team.

“We have to be prepared because things can happen and injuries can arise in this period of the season and you have to be prepared and planned.”

Notably, Alexandre Lacazette, Calum Chambers, Eddie Nketiah, Mohamed Elneny, and Sead Kolasinac all have contracts expiring next summer.

There are also some fringe players not getting minutes like Pablo Mari who should probably consider an exit, despite a longer contract. Plus some who could go on loan like Folarin Balogun.

If Arsenal could bring in some cash for any of them, it would be a boost ahead of the summer, and perhaps create an opportunity to invest in the winter window too.