Okay Arsenal fans, we might still have a nice surprise in store from Arsene Wenger in the last few days of the January transfer window, but if not then we have at least signed a promising young defensive midfielder in Krystian Bielik and what seems to be a very good and versatile defender in Gabriel Paulista.
We also have Ozil and Walcott back, with Welbeck and the Ox due back in the next week or two, followed quickly by Jack Wilshere and that will leave just Arteta, Diaby and Debuchy in the treatment room. And we will need as many of our best players as possible as we are fighting on three fronts and are still sitting outside of the top four of the league.
Although things are looking up for Arsenal, I thought I would have a look at what we need to do to make sure that we do not drop out of the Champions League places for next season because of our ups and downs so far. Looking at last season, we had 51 points after 22 games and still finished fourth but we seem to be doing things the opposite way around this time. At least we all hope for a better run-in, as last year we took just 28 points from the last 16 games.
The same this time would leave us on 69 points, the same as the spuds got to finish in sixth place last year. 73 points would have been enough to finish above Everton in fourth last season and to get that would mean us taking just over two points per game. To equal the 79 points we got last time we would need 2.5 points per game between now and May.
To put that in perspective, that would allow us to lose two and draw two games and win all the rest. With away games at Tottenham and Man United aas well as home ties with Chelsea and Liverpool to come, we do not have a lot of room for manoeuvre.
With Southampton continuing to impress, United better than last year and with players like Di Maria and Falcao still to find their feet and with Liverpool about to get Sturridge back, can we do it?