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With Nacho Monreal ageing, and Sead Kolasinac consistently on the treatment table, it's important Arsenal start looking for options in this position. While it's by no means dire, most other positions on the pitch look sorted, so Arsenal can put a lot of emphasis on the left-back role this January.
Unai Emery, being a man of constant video analysis, will be well aware of this. Many Arsenal fans are beginning to realise that this is their biggest problem, but they should know that Emery won't be caught up in the win streak. He will be hard at work finding a Nacho Monreal replacement.
That said, it's a good time to compile some options. Here are 5 for Arsenal to consider.
#1 Nicolas Tagliafico - Ajax
Nicolas Tagliafico is an Argentinian left-back who plays for Ajax. Particularly this season, he consistently has showed his importance to the side. Ajax have been in fine form, in both the Eredivisie and of course, the Champions League, with Tagliafico being a key component to their achievements so far.
He is 26 years old, so there's never been a better time to sign him. He should be approaching the prime stages of his career, and if anybody can get the best out of him at such a time, it's Unai Emery.
If you were looking for any opportunity to see Tagliafico at his best, it was in Ajax's first Champions League meeting of the season with AEK Athens. The left-back had a vintage performance, as the Dutch side won 3-0 and he claimed two of the goals.
Something which may give Tagliafico the edge over the other players mentioned in this list is his versatility. Although it's by no means his primary position, he is able to play at centre-back. He has shown glimpses of his work in the centre for Ajax whenever they've needed him to.
He may be a little costly, given that his contract doesn't run out until 2020. One thing's for sure though, he will be worth every single penny Arsenal will need to scrape for him.
#2 Jose Gaya - Valencia
Jose Gaya has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past, so The Gunners will know all about him. He is essentially Monreal 2.0, and I don't say that just because they are both Spanish. Gaya loves to bomb forward whenever he has the chance, something Monreal has become accustomed to in recent seasons.
Gaya has plenty of time to grow under Unai Emery. He is just 23, which may attract The Gunners to him. He already has some international experience while playing on big stages a few times in his career.
Undoubtedly, playing against Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi would have taught him a thing or two about how to defend. His experience may have served him well in LaLiga, but whether or not Unai Emery is tempted by Gaya remains to be seen.
#3 Alberto Moreno - Liverpool
As an Arsenal fan, i wouldn't be too pessimistic about Alberto Moreno. His time at Liverpool may have been negative, but if anybody can get the best out of him, Unai Emery can.
The two have worked together at Sevilla, and Emery turned Moreno into an Europa League champion. The two enjoyed a healthy working relationship, but everything went downhill after he joined Liverpool.
Moreno is an interesting one, and he's definitely worth a try. Should he continue to be reluctant to sign a new Liverpool deal, Arsenal could even sign him for free. His current deal runs out this summer, so it could either be a very cheap or even free deal.
Moreno is like Bellerin in a sense that he is a lot better going forward than he is at defending. Aged 26, this may be too late to change - but Unai Emery is capable of miracles.
#4 Ryan Sessegnon - Fulham
It may be too late to pursue a move for Ryan Sessegnon, but it's definitely possible. Fulham fans are clear admirers of their young English full-back, and rightly so.
Most of the Premier League top six have had their fair share of reports linking them to Sessegnon, but Arsenal is yet to mount any serious interest.
He is like the Mesut Ozil of full-backs, constantly stringing passes to his teammates and driving them forward. He has the license to do this with Fulham, obviously, as they need all the help they can get.
He recently scored his first Premier League goal against Cardiff City, becoming the first player born in or after the year 2000 to score in the English top flight. He obviously has immense potential, and he wouldn't want that to go to waste at Fulham.
If Arsenal are willing to splash the cash, then Sessegnon is the man to go for.
#5 Alejandro Grimaldo - Benfica
Alejandro Grimaldo has been in fine form this season for the Portuguese giants Benfica. He has been a regular starter for the club, both in Liga NOS and the Champions League.
If Arsenal are looking to sign a defence orientated left-back, then Grimaldo is the option for them. While he is more than capable of bombing forward, his defensive ability is pretty impressive, considering the current expectations of full-backs.
The Spaniard could provide Hector Bellerin the license to go forward, but it all depends on how Emery wishes to set up tactically.
It will take a lot to persuade Benfica, as it seems they have no reason to sell the Spaniard. If Arsenal can tempt the Portuguese club with a sizeable offer, then Grimaldo will almost definitely do well for them.
Aged 23 years old, he is yet another long-term option to replace Nacho Monreal. I think it's fair to say that Arsenal aren't short of options.
