The Real Reason We're Celebrating

Three... two... one.

Bells tolled, fireworks exploded, hands raised, and drinks spilled. Pubs, bars, streets and homes were filled with music and cheering. After a difficult year, everyone had let their hair down for one special moment; strangers danced, friends hugged, and couples kissed.

Yes, it was the start of the January transfer window, and Arsenal had business to do. For the next 31 days, the rumours would inundate newspapers, websites and blogs, turning even the most cynical, realistic fans into naive, excitable children. Throughout the month, Gooners would babble amongst themselves, building up one another's expectations that Arsene would surprise them and pull off an unthinkable signing. Maybe Giorgio Chiellini? Maybe David Villa!

But in reality, this could be our quietest ever January window. Despite Mikael Silvestre featuring as regularly this season as Emmanuel Adebayor in a team-building exercise, and Philippe Senderos umming and arring about whether to keep his front-row season ticket, Wenger insists he won't be selling anyone. I'm hoping to see Senderos stay, because I think he deserves a couple of chances to show how he's come along in the last 18 months, but I'm less enthusiastic about Silvestre. His pace is going, he lags behind the first-team back four in quality, and his sole purpose seems to be leading the youngsters in our Carling Cup team. Throw in what I would assume is a fairly sizeable wage, and we could be getting more for our money.

However, if Arsene wants to avoid disrupting the squad with replacements, I can appreciate his logic. After all, we're doing well considering our injuries, and Man City have shown how unreliable a team can be without sufficient time to gel.

The key area where we are most likely to see some activity is up front. With Wenger indicating that Bendtner won't be available for a while yet, he would probably be right to seek some cover, as fielding three forwards under 6 feet is unlikely to yield goals against certain teams. However, with the futures of players like Eduardo and Carlos Vela - and indeed Bendtner - to keep in mind, a loan move may be a better idea than a permanent addition. That said, Klaas Jan Huntelaar would be the most likely option in this scenario, and personally I think he would be perfect. His Milan record has been somewhat crippled by the fact that many of his appearances have come through late, time-wasting substitutions, but he still enjoys a feared reputation as a clinical poacher. His height and world-class finishing make him an ideal replacement while van Persie's back at the home.

Should this not be possible, I would like to see Wenger go in for either Edin Dzeko or Carlton Cole. Both would almost certainly have to be permanent signings, although with West Ham in the mess they're in, you never can be quite sure. Dzeko looks like what we need: a towering striker who can fit into a fluid style of play. His finishing is reminiscent of Henry, and although his pace isn't, he would have the players around him to make up for it. Carlton Cole would be significantly cheaper, and wouldn't be cup-tied in Europe, which might make him a more realistic signing. He is Arsene's kind of target man, with a team ethic and passing style more akin to van Persie than Adebayor, although his athleticism could make him a good partner for the Dutchman when he returns. He's on and off the injury table at the moment, but that would make him all the more welcome at Arsenal.

In any case, it doesn't look like anyone's leaving, so at least this should be a less nervy transfer window for us than most. Arsene will be concentrating on the FA Cup match at West Ham on Sunday, so let's think about that first, and hope Carlton Cole isn't available.