The three moves Unai Emery should make this January to push Arsenal into top four   

When Unai Emery was announced as Arsene Wenger's successor at the end of the 2017/18 season, he was to receive the first bad news when the new season fixtures were announced. He was in for the baptism of fire - literally as he was to face Manchester City and Chelsea in the first two games. And of course, Arsenal started their 2018/19 season suffering two season-opening defeats their two direct rivals for the trophy.

Unai Emery then took The Gunners into a tremendous run of 22 matches unbeaten in all competitions. At the height of this remarkable feat, Arsenal went into an 11 win run and threatened a sustained bid for the EPL title, an unlikely situation based on the multiple pre-season predictions.

However, in the last 6 matches, Arsenal has played in all competitions, they have won just 2, drew 1 and lost 3. They scored 11 times and conceded 13 times. Currently, in 5th place, Arsenal is now 7 points adrift of Tottenham and 3 points adrift of Chelsea. They are facing a possible demotion to 6th with Manchester United on a purple patch after firing Jose Mourinho and hiring Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and who are now just three points behind them. It sounds like the all too familiar collapse of Arsenal of the Arsene Wenger era never left them. And despite a new manager, defensive fragility remains most critical.

Nevertheless, having managed to bring in Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi during the summer transfer window to redress the central midfield area, was testament enough that Unia was a shrewd manager and would use transfers to address the challenges in the squad, unlike Arsene whose business looked unstrategic as far as the needs of the squad was concerned. Emery can now use the January transfer window to redress other inadequacies in the squad in order to ensure top-four finish this season.

Here is how Emery can use this January including the transfer period to ensure Arsenal climb back to top four and stay there.

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#3. A change in tactics.

Emery has deployed several patterns but the most notable feature has been either back four of back three.

With four defenders Arsenal have mostly deployed 4-2-3-1 which has meant that he has to choose one of his superb attacking duo of Lacazette or Aubameyang in front, while the other plays further from the goal starts from the bench altogether.

With three in the back, Emery has to deploy wingbacks. Kolasinac, Bellerin, and lately, Ainsley Maitland-Niles have found some form playing in these roles. However, it is clear that with injuries on these players, Arsenal has struggled to replace them. Maitland-Niles has helped out in the right wingback role and, in some cases, the defense, but on the left wingback, Kolasinac seems to be the only viable option and he is too inconsistent. Furthermore, he doesn't put up the optimal defensive work needed to be an undisputed success in this role.

Aubameyang and Lacazette can do much more if they both start together in their natural roles.

Whatever Emery has to do, he must ensure the pattern he adopts has Aubameyang and Lacazette starting together in center-forward attacking roles. The two have an understanding and selflessness with the potential to develop into the best ever attacking duo, only akin to what Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry was, and that is a lot of goals.

#2. Buy the right players.

With the transfer window open, Emery can fix the needs for the squad shrewdly to ensure Arsenal get back to their best ways.

First, there is the situation surrounding one Aaron Ramsey and his links to top sides across Europe. However, one huge interest coming from Juventus and it is rumored that they have signed a pre-contract agreement with them.

It looks like Ramsey could be leaving Arsenal sooner rather than later.

Emery has been on record requesting Arsenal to keep hold of Ramsey until the summer. Ramsey is a special player and a huge asset for Arsenal but right now, he could help Emery capture a wonderful talent his squad needs if he is open-minded. He should allow Juve to get their man and demand they include Daniele Rugani in the deal.

Arsenal should also open talks with Willy Boly from Watford. He and Daniele Rugani would form a powerful partnership that would form the basis of effective defensive delivery, one that Arsenal has been missing for quite some time now.

Rumors that Arsenal is close bring Denis Suarez from Barcelona suggests that Ramsey's replacement is already in the horizons and Emery should get this man - fast.

Get Reiss Nelson back to replace Danny Welbeck. With someone to replace Welbeck, there would be no need for Emery to be fearful of playing the LacAuba partnership and losing any of them to injuries.

#1. Bring the real Ozil back.

After rumors that Mesut Ozil is set to leave Arsenal this January, Mesut Ozil's agent came out to state that the former Real Madrid player is staying put at Arsenal and will fight for his place in the squad.

That's wonderful news but Emery seems not to have any trust in Ozil's influence in some games and has not been keen to play him frequently. This frosty relationship is developing despite the fact that Ozil has been arguably the King of Assists in the EPL over the last three seasons. Ozil is also the highest paid player in the Arsenal dressing room.

Arsenal

need

the King of Assists Mesut Ozil to push into top four.

It has been different this season, however, as Mesut Ozil has scored 3 goals and assisted just once over 13 matches he has featured.

It is important that Emery brings the real Ozil back. Emery needs to find a way to banish the sickly Ozil and ensure an Ozil that brings those defense-splitting balls for Lacazette and Aubameyang - LacAuba partnership to make use of in getting the goals Arsenal needs to get to top four.