There have been some interesting inclusions in Arsenal’s Champions League squads and other European squads throughout Mikel Arteta’s tenure. Equally, the Spaniard has excluded some prolific figures too but for the current season, it has been shockingly normal.

Arguably, Kieran Tierney’s name being included on the list was something of a surprise considering the Scotland international has been outside of the manager’s plans for some time. Currently out injured, which prevented a transfer in the summer, the left-back remains some way off a return but was indeed included in the Champions League squad regardless.

Arsenal have drawn with Atalanta and beaten PSG in the first two of their eight games of the newly revamped league phase of the competition. Finishing in the top eight will mean avoiding the play-off matches and a direct pathway to the last-16.

The January transfer window is open during the final two games of the league phase. Arsenal play Dinamo Zagreb on January 22 and Girona on January 29, but players signed in the winter market will not be able to play.

They will have to wait for Arsenal to qualify for the knockout phase of the competition and then be registered as per the rules.

UEFA Champions League regulation 32.01 states: “After the completion of the league phase and before the start of the knockout phase, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition. Such registrations must be completed by 6 February 2025 (24:00 CET) at the latest.”

There is definitely scope for Arsenal to strengthen in the January window. The injury issues suffered in these opening stages of the new campaign have shone a light on the potential areas of weakness in the group.

A forward is certainly a player that many feel would add great depth. While Martin Odegaard’s injury has also shown that there could be a greater emphasis on a versatile attacking midfielder – although the progression of Ethan Nwaneri is a factor the club will not want to stunt.

Lastly is the deeper part of the midfield with both Thomas Partey and Jorginho reaching the end of the final year of their contracts. It is an area that finding the right player early, could bring plenty of benefits to Arteta’s title ambitions ahead of schedule.