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ARSENAL have been famously stringent in transfer windows ever since swapping Highbury for the Emirates.
Years have passed and the Gunners have been left in the dust of big-spending Manchester City – and their money-bags top six rivals.
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But thanks to one man, money might not be the be-all and end-all… Sven Mislintat.
The German was appointed Arsenal's chief scout a year ago – almost to the day – in a bid to get the club ready to be competitive for decades to come.
And despite the club rarely spending big, they've already had huge success with the comparatively cheap buys of Mateo Guendouzi (£7million) and Lucas Torreira (£27m).
Mislintat came to North London with an incredible reputation, having been the brains behind some huge names at Borussia Dortmund.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski were two of the biggest, along with Ousmane Dembele and Shinji Kagawa to name a few.
Naturally Gunners fans were – and still are – keen to see what he does next.
With the January transfer window now little more than six weeks away, Mislintat appears to have a plan of attack.
But who are five of the key targets and where will they fit in at Arsenal? Find out below…
EMERSON
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ARSENAL are thought to be in a war with Chelsea over 19-year-old Brazilian Emerson.
The Atletico Mineiro star has become one of the hottest prospects in South America and could play a huge role at the Emirates already.
Thee Gunners will certainly be keen to bolster their right-back ranks in the near future, with Hector Bellerin, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Carl Jenkinson on board.
Bellerin has long been tipped for a move while Lichtsteiner is winding down his career and Jenkinson is almost certain to leave.
At just 19-years-old, Emerson could not only be a star of the future for Arsenal, but with his top-flight experience in Brazil, he could more than do a job now.
OUSMANE DEMBELE
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AFTER swapping Borussia Dortmund for Barcelona, Dembele was supposed to take the next step on his fledgling career at the Nou Camp.
But things haven't quite panned out for the France star and he could now be on his way to link up with Unai Emery – and with former Dortmund man Mislintat.
Arsenal have bolstered their striking ranks to devastating effect recently, with the additions of Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette – who are becoming quite the partnership.
But out wide, they lack a certain spark – arguably without a single first-team quality winger on the books.
Dembele could come in take on the spot once filled by Alexis Sanchez in his prime. And that would be huge for the Gunners.
MARIO HERMASO
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ARSENAL are thought to be locked in a war with Real Madrid to land Espanyol hot prospect Mario Hermoso in the coming months.
That in itself is telling…
But Arsenal genuinely believe the signing of Hermoso would be the biggest coup since club legend Sol Campbell.
The Gunners have certainly lacked a stable, strong centre-back partnership in recent seasons, especially thanks to persistent injuries to Laurent Koscielny.
Snaring a top-class defender for the future could prove to be the most vital move Mislintat ever plays at the club.
NICOLAS PEPE
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WHILE Emery and Mislintat may have always had a plan in place, their transfer focus may have been shifted by the sickening injury to Danny Welbeck.
Facing the prospect of being without the England wide-man for the season, Arsenal have turned to Lille star Nicolas Pepe.
The £45m-rated winger stunned the Ligue 1 club earlier this month as he claimed he didn't see himself there next season.
Already lacking depth in the wide areas, Arsenal could be tempted to boost their winger ranks with a much-needed January move for the highly-rated youngster.
VILIUS PILIUKATIS
Blackburn Rovers FC
THERE'S evidently a theme to Mislintat's transfer moves – with another forward, Vilius Piliukaitis, on the horizon.
The Lithuanian wonderkid, 17, is currently on loan at Championship side Blackburn.
Rovers have the option to sign the youngster permanently at the end of the season, but now face a challenge from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.
While the purchase of Piliukaitis may not be for the now, he could be a huge star in the future – a key part of Mislintat's mantra.
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