Arsenal currently lead the Premier League table and are looking to bolster their chances of lifting the trophy with some strategic signings in the January transfer window. Mikel Arteta has been at the helm since 2019, with his primary goal to secure the league title eluding him so far.

Under the Spaniard's leadership, the Gunners have finished runners-up for three consecutive seasons but are leading the charge this time around.

Arteta is hopeful that his January signings will guide the North London club to their first Premier League title since 2004. But how can we predict who the manager will target in the transfer window, and will he take cues from previous deals?

Here, Mirror Football takes a look at Arteta's first five signings as Arsenal manager, which could potentially hint at the Spaniard's plans for this month.

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Pablo Mari

Pablo Mari was the first signing of the Arteta era at Arsenal, joining on a loan deal in January 2020 until the end of the season. Despite his limited appearances for the club - even after his deal was made permanent that summer - his versatility demonstrated exactly what the boss was aiming for at the club.

Mari joined as a left-footed centre-half and was seen as the player to "balance" the back line under Arteta. At the time of his signing, the Arsenal boss said: "For me, he is very important, he balances what I want to do from the back line.

"It gives us more options, more solutions and opens up the pitch more, and he is a player we have been following in the last few months, and we are really happy to have." After managing just 22 outings in an Arsenal jersey, Mari departed for Serie A outfit Monza following a successful loan spell in 2023.

Cedric

Next came full-back Cedric, who also arrived at Arsenal on loan in January 2020. The defender was viewed as the club's answer to their right-back situation and could also operate at left-back and right midfield.

At that time, knocks to Hector Bellerin and Calum Chambers meant that defensive midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles was covering at right-back for the club, and Arteta wanted a player better suited to the role.

Speaking about Cedric, he said: "He's a player who's got a big experience. He's played in different countries, he's played in this league, he knows what it means.

"He's very willing to go to another top club, and he's got that desire, that commitment. I followed him a few seasons ago. I started to follow him, and I really like what he can bring. They were the right conditions for us as well to try to improve the squad."

The defender made 64 appearances for the club and was heavily relied upon during the 2021/22 campaign. Whilst Cedric spent most of his Arsenal career at right-back, he also turned out 10 times at left-back and six times in midfield, demonstrating the adaptable qualities Arteta valued in his players.

Alex Runarsson

While Alex Runarsson's stint with Arsenal hardly stands out as memorable, it does illustrate a key principle Arteta champions regarding positional competition. The goalkeeper managed only six outings for the Gunners and wasn't particularly beloved by supporters.

His Arsenal appearances included merely one 15-minute substitute appearance in the Premier League during a 2-1 defeat to Wolves after regular keeper Bernd Leno received his marching orders.

Runarsson's north London adventure may not have been particularly triumphant, but Arteta's emphasis on player competition strongly suggests that he values squad depth and wants his players to battle for their spot in the first team.

Willian

Willian switched from west to north London in the summer of 2020 when he joined Arsenal from Chelsea as a free agent. A seasoned Premier League champion and versatile operator across the attacking line, he appeared to be the ideal recruit for Arteta's squad.

However, following 37 outings that brought one goal and seven assists, the Brazilian failed to meet expectations at the Emirates Stadium. Yet Arteta spoke glowingly about the winger's arrival at Arsenal initially, explaining precisely what he expected from Willian.

Arteta said: "I believe he's a player that can really make a difference for us. We have been monitoring him for the past few months, we had a clear intention to strengthen in the attacking midfielder and the winger positions.

"He is a player that gives us a lot of versatility, he can play in three or four different positions. He has the experience of everything in the football world, but to still have the ambition to come here and contribute to bring the club where it belongs."

Gabriel Magalhaes

Gabriel's arrival in 2020 marked a significant transformation in Arsenal's defensive stability. The centre-back stands as the greatest success amongst all these signings, remaining a guaranteed starter under Arteta's management to this day.

Since joining the Gunners, the defender has featured in 230 matches across all competitions and netted 24 goals, including four this campaign during the club's pursuit of the Premier League crown.

Gabriel is crucial in anchoring one of the most solid defences the league has witnessed in recent years and epitomises everything Arteta desires in his backline - powerful, dependable and possessing a talent for scoring from dead-ball situations.

Supporters can draw inspiration from these signings when anticipating that Arteta will seek adaptability and consistency from his January transfer targets, alongside the ability to generate competition for spots throughout the squad.