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Arsenal have only recently become a club that dives into the transfer market during January to help strengthen their squad.
Legendary club manager Arsene Wenger was famously against the idea of a January transfer window and even wanted it to be scrapped.
However, some of Arsenal's best players have been signed during the January transfer window, most of which came under Wenger's management.
Whether they were complete successes or not, each player on this list has had a significant impact on Arsenal during their tenure at the club.
Without further ado, here are the top five best January signings in Arsenal history.
#5 Nacho Monreal
Nacho Monreal joined Arsenal on deadline day in January 2013, as a replacement for the then departing Andre Santos.
The Spaniard spent most of his early days at the club competing for a starting spot with Kieran Gibbs, but soon became Arsenal's most reliable defender under Arsene Wenger.
Monreal was the personification of the phrase 'solid, not spectacular'. The full-back was consistently dependable at the back for Arsenal and helped the club win three FA Cups during his six-year stint at the club.
Arsene Wenger described Monreal as, "a strong left-sided defender with good experience at both club and international level. He is a technically gifted player, a good crosser in the final third and strong in the air."
Nacho Monreal was used primarily as a left-back, but found himself playing as a left-sided centre-back many times during his spell at Arsenal. The Spaniard left the Emirates in 2019 for Real Sociedad.
#4 Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott was a loyal servant to the Gunners during his time at the Emirates.
The forward was signed by Arsene Wenger from Southampton, when he was only 16-years old. Walcott went on to make 398 appearances for the club, bagging 108 goals and 78 assists during this spell.
Walcott was known for his speed and finishing ability during his spell at Arsenal. He was a constant menace for oppositions while on the counter attack, although sometimes his decision-making was frustrating.
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi once described Walcott as "one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against."
Theo Walcott won two FA Cups with Arsenal before leaving the club for Everton in 2018. The winger is currently on loan to his boyhood club Southampton, where he has had a mini career revival recently.
#3 Emmanuel Adebayor
No one expected Emmanuel Adebayor to be such a huge hit at Arsenal when he first arrived.
The Togoan softened the blow of Thierry Henry's departure from the Gunners, as he struck up a partnership with Dutchman Robin van Persie.
Adebayor was a lethal finisher during his time with the Gunners, and was also selected for the Premier League PFA Team of the Year in the 2007/08 season.
The striker ended his Arsenal career with 62 goals in 142 appearances.
Adebayor turned out to be a prolific goalscorer for Arsenal, but he destroyed his own reputation amongst Gunners' fans by forcing a move to Manchester City, and then playing for Tottenham later on in his career.
#2 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal pulled off one of the biggest January transfer deals of all time back in 2018.
Arsene Wenger's parting gift to the club was securing the services of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, after the club lost Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United during the same window.
Aubameyang has been one of the most prolific forwards in Premier League history, having reached 50 Premier League goals in his first two years in England.
The striker has also taken the captain's armband at Arsenal, and lead the Gunners to their 14th FA Cup title last season, bagging braces in the semi-final as well as the final.
The Gabonese hitman has gotten off to a slow start this season, but is sure to come good during the second half of the campaign.
The striker also penned a new three-year contract extension with the Gunners, and is sure to be a huge part in their future.
#1 Nicolas Anelka
When Nicolas Anelka joined Arsenal as a youngster from PSG, no one expected the Frenchman to be so important in shaping the club's legacy.
The young Frenchman was a key player in Arsenal's double-winning squad in the 1997/98 season, finishing as Arsenal's top scorer during that campaign.
Although he only spent 2 years at the club, his departure was a significant moment for both Arsenal and the Premier League.
Real Madrid bought the young forward for £22 million which in turn helped fund Arsenal's move for another young Frenchman, by the name of Thierry Henry.
This was a massive turning point for the club, as Henry would go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, and finish as Arsenal's highest goal-scorer ever.
