Arsenal drew 2-2 to Aston Villa in their most recent game at the Emirates. It was a nervy one for Mikel Arteta’s side who had a 2-0 lead 60 minutes in.

Youri Tielemans scored Villa’s first goal with a superb finish, before Ollie Watkins equalised just eight minutes later, to hand Arsenal their second draw in their last three Premier League matches.

The Gunners now sit second in the league table, six points away from league leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand. Arteta’s side will turn their attention to the Champions League to face Dynamo Zagreb on Wednesday, before then heading to play Wolves at the weekend.

Arteta will want to make a few January transfer moves before the window shuts, especially in attacking areas with the current injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka. Here is the Gunners’ best starting XI, should all the recent Arsenal transfer rumours become a reality…

Other than that, Arsenal’s defence has been solid this season, so there are a lack of transfer rumours for the Gunners to sign another defender in January. Riccardo Calafiori had been dealing with an injury. The Villa game came too soon, but he should be available for selection in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Arsenal finally seal £51m midfield addition

Centre-midfield – Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi

The Gunners have been heavily linked to signing Real Soceidad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who will likely join in the summer transfer window if they are to get a deal done for the Spaniard.

Reports have said that they have paid his £51m release clause to bring him to the Emirates. He will join former Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino, but we have him playing over Merino in Arteta’s ideal starting XI. Other than Zubimendi, Arteta will be delighted with the midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, who are both crucial to how his side create their chances in attack.

Brand new trio in Arsenal’s attack

Wingers – Nico Williams, Brahim Diaz

Striker – Victor Osimhen

With the current injury to Bukayo Saka, the Gunners would love to add at least one wing player during the January transfer window, in order to help replace their star attacker. Saka is set to be out until late March at the earliest, with Arteta saying last month: “He had a procedure. Everything went well. But unfortunately, he will be out for many, many weeks. I think it will be more than two months. I don’t know exactly how much longer.”

Arsenal have been linked with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, who has a £48m release clause that the Gunners could pay, meaning they could sign the Spanish international without opposition from Bilbao. Furthermore, they have also been linked with Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz in recent weeks. According to The Boot Room, Arsenal could make a move for the winger, who previously played under the coaching of Arteta whilst he was an assistant at Manchester City.

Diaz has made 15 La Liga appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s side so far this season, scoring three goals and contributing two assists. He is expected to be worth around the £30m mark.

Arsenal have also been linked with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray. The Nigeria international, could leave his current loan deal if the Gunners were to pay his release clause. He has scored 11 goals in 14 league games for Galatasaray this season. He would help to solve Arsenal’s current search for a striker.