Guimaraes deal, Partey exit - Edu given £145m transfer shortlist to grant Arsenal dream midfield

Mikel Arteta is just a few signings away from taking Arsenal to the next level. Since taking to the helm in December 2019, the Spaniard has managed to transform the Gunners into a top European side again – but now he's approaching a crossroads.

Liverpool are set to lose Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season and Manchester City are facing 115 separate charges from the Premier League relating to their finances, so there's a window of opportunity for Arsenal to claim top spot in the near future. If the north Londoners play their cards right then they could very quickly become the most feared club in the country.

But they need a catalyst. A few new faces at the Emirates Stadium to propel them past, not only Liverpool and City but, the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester United, who will also be looking to climb to the top of the food chain. It's the survival of the fittest. Eat or be eaten.

So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at what Arsenal needs to do in the final days of the January transfer window to finally become the apex predators of the English top-flight. And it all starts in the engine room...

First, the Gunners need to offload Thomas Partey. The 30-year-old midfielder, who sees his contract at the Emirates Stadium expire at the end of next season, has featured just four times in the Premier League this term due to numerous injuries.

While Partey was a brilliant option for Arsenal in the past, it's time to part ways with the Ghana international. Fortunately for the north Londoners, the CIES Football Observatory still value him at a reasonable £17million, which would be a huge boost to the club's transfer kitty – especially with his deal set to expire in 18 months or so.

Jurgen