5 players Arsenal should target in the January transfer window

After 15 games in the Premier League season, Arsenal are already trying to simply keep their head above the water. Five losses and an inability to at least get a point in a number of games have underlined their failure to mount a challenge in England's top flight yet again.

Down in fifth place, it certainly does look like Wenger cannot eke anything more out of this squad. It has been the story since last season and just two key arrivals in the summer were clearly not enough to improve their form in the league and challenge for the title.

So who should Wenger try and bring in to improve this squad? January gives him the opportunity to plug a few holes and these five players would be ideal for the Gunners.

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#5 Jean Michael Seri (Central Midfield)

Jean Michael Seri - the ideal replacement for Sanit Cazorla?

"I'm not used to seeing such talent in midfield any more. The short game, long game, tactical intelligence, long-range shooting, personality, organisation of the play... Madre mia!" - Xavi

Very few players can impress Xavi, the man who personified possession football at Barcelona. But Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri has already got a huge admirer in the former Barca man who even went on to claim that Seri had 'Barca DNA'.

Of course, Barcelona did try to sign him in the summer before the move broke down, leaving Seri very disappointed. But with plenty of competition in Barcelona, would a move to Arsenal make sense?

Yes, it does. With Santi Cazorla sadly no closer to a return to football after numerous surgeries, Wenger might just cut his losses and move on to someone else who can effortlessly replicate the Spaniard's magic in midfield.

Both players have similar qualities and an identical physique. At 5'6", Seri still manages to dominate midfield with the ball at his feet, gliding across the pitch with ease. He circulates the ball well in the middle of the park and is also a set-piece expert - just like Cazorla.

#4 Kalidou Koulibaly (Centre-Back)

Kalidou Koulibaly - a ball-playing defender Arsenal can rely on

Arsenal can no longer rely on the current crop of defenders in the squad due to a combination of age and fitness issues. And with Per Mertesacker retiring at the end of the season, the Gunners must look to replace him with a top quality centre-back.

Unfortunately, Calum Chambers has barely grown in the past few seasons and Wenger's reluctance to use him in big games proves he is not entirely convinced with the Englishman's progress.

Laurent Koscielny is not getting any younger and his Achilles injury prevents him from playing more than once a week without experiencing discomfort. Shkodran Mustafi's injury niggles keep cropping up leaving Nacho Monreal (a converted centre-back) as the only reliable option at the back.

Enter Kalidou Koulibaly. The Napoli centre-back is one of the best ball-playing defenders in Europe at the moment and has been key to the Serie A club's build-up play from the back. No defender in Europe has complete more short passes than the Senegalese centre-back.

However, he will not come cheap, what with a contract until 2021. And the fact that Chelsea are also interested in securing his services makes it tough for Arsenal to get their man.

#3 Nabil Fekir (Attacking Midfield)

Can Nabil Fekir step into Mesut Ozil's shoes?

Arsenal had been linked with Nabil Fekir a couple of years ago but the 2015/16 season saw him sidelined with knee ligament tears and he disappeared off the radar as he made a recovery. But the injury didn't slow him down as he became a crucial member of the Lyon squad alongside Alexandre Lacazette.

Following the French striker's move to the Emirates, Fekir has taken the onus on himself to lead Lyon to glory. He has scored as many goals in Ligue 1 (11) as forward Mariano despite playing in the playmaker's role in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

With Mesut Ozil also possibly following in Alexis Sanchez's footsteps out the Arsenal door, the Gunners need a playmaker who can excel behind Lacazette.

Who better than his former teammate with whom he has a great understanding? The duo combined for 37 goals in the league alone last season.

Fekir excels in a lot of areas - chance creation, passing, dribbling and shooting. And aged just 24, he still has a long way to go before he really hits his peak.

#2 Julian Draxler (Forward)

Julian Draxler - warm the bench at PSG or start at Arsenal?

This is a transfer that makes perfect sense for both player and club. With Alexis Sanchez destined to leave the Emirates in January or the summer, Julian Draxler would be a reasonable signing to take his place.

The German forward moved to Paris Saint-Germain last January and made an instant impact before he was sidelined this season thanks to PSG's purchases of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. With the €402m duo partnering Edinson Cavani up front and Angel Di Maria also in the frame, Draxler has been reduced to a bit-part role.

The 24-year-old has also been asked to play in a position unfamiliar to him - central midfield. Traditionally a winger, Draxler is used to playing closer to goal but he has been shoe-horned into this side just so Unai Emery can play the trio of Neymar-Cavani-Mbappe up front.

Draxler's skill set allows him to play on either flank. His dribbling skills and chance creation is ideal for a Wenger-managed side with neat layoffs and dribbling skills. His set-piece ability would also be instrumental as Alexis' departure would leave Arsenal in need of a right-footed free-kick taker.

#1 Leon Goretzka (Central Midfield)

Leon Goretzka (L) is wanted by a number of clubs

What Arsenal have lacked in recent years is a worthy box-to-box midfielder and Schalke's Leon Goretzka fits the bill. The 6'3" German midfielder has all the qualities to thrive in an Arsene Wenger side.

Goretzka excels in passing and holding on to the ball. His decision-making with the ball at his feet and the authority with which he plays his football is very good for a player who is only 22 years old.

He is a physical midfielder who is strong in aerial duels and in the tackle. In attack, he also has the ability to shoot from distance and has an eye for the occasional long ball over the defence - similar to what Wenger expects from Granit Xhaka who is yet to really convince in that role.

"We are trying to convince him, also financially. We are trying to look for the best way to convince him to stay, but without putting pressure on him." - Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel

Goretzka will be a free agent in the summer and can sign a pre-contract with another club in January. Arsenal already got Sead Kolasinac from the Bundesliga club in a similar manner - but can they snare Goretzka by paying a worth transfer fee to convince them to let him go?