Arsenal finds itself in a commanding position: leading the league, sharing the top spot in the Champions League, matching a record-breaking defensive streak, and looking forward to a cup quarter-final, all with just a single loss this season.

Imagine their potential if they could keep their roster free from injuries!

The Gunners’ impressive start under Mikel Arteta has been slightly marred by injuries to key players. Nevertheless, as they pause for the November international break, they maintain a four-point lead over their closest rivals, Manchester City.

What are Arsenal’s strategies for the January transfer window?

Following a summer expenditure of about £250 million, Arsenal’s approach for the January transfer window seems to be more about adaptation than anticipation.

While the club would entertain the right offer for a less crucial player, the expectation is that 95% of the squad will remain intact as they continue their pursuit of success.

Martin Zubimendi (second left) and Cristhian Mosquera (second right) have both been successful additions as part of last summer’s £250million-plus outlay

Ethan Nwaneri may need to move out on loan in January after finding his path to first-team minutes blocked

If a significant offer arrives for Gabriel Martinelli, particularly from Saudi Arabia where there has been interest in the past, Arsenal would listen

There are, however, a few scenarios being monitored internally.

Ethan Nwaneri – who signed a long-term contract in the summer but has yet to start a league game this season – could be considered for a loan move. The club are conscious that the 18-year-old needs consistent senior minutes to continue his development, and January may offer an opportunity if the right environment becomes available.

If a significant offer arrives for Gabriel Martinelli, particularly from Saudi Arabia where there has been interest in the past, Arsenal would listen. Martinelli has slipped down the pecking order following the arrival of Noni Madueke and the form of Leandro Trossard, and after spending big last summer the Gunners are conscious of the need to recoup money from selling a first-team player.

Ben White’s situation is also one to monitor. Although he remains an important squad member, Arsenal have a plethora of full-back options and White has started just one league match in this campaign. The Gunners would be open to offers.

As things stand, though, the expectation is that he remains with further talks on his future next summer. His contract expires in 2028.

How will Mikel Arteta deal with having both Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres available at the same time?

It presents an intriguing tactical conundrum. Arteta has previously hinted he could use both in the same lineup, but it’s expected that he goes horses for courses.

Arsenal scored freely last season with Havertz leading the line in bigger games — 5-1 wins over both Manchester City and Sporting Lisbon, for example — where the German’s physicality, link play and ability to occupy centre backs suit the game state.

But in matches where the Gunners struggle to break down a low block or need more direct runs in behind, Gyokeres offers something different. His movement is more aggressive and vertical, which can unpick deep defensive shapes.

It’s expected that Viktor Gyokeres (left) and Kai Havertz will be treated in a horses for courses fashion rather than playing together

Arteta is a big fan of Havertz, who is likely to start more when he returns from injury, but he values flexibility. With both fit, predicting Arsenal’s front line becomes far harder for opponents. Havertz can also drop into a No10 role if Arteta wants to pair them.

Daily Mail Sport previously reported that the original plan was for Havertz to start the season as the primary No 9, with Gyokeres needing time to settle into a new league and system. Havertz’s injury meant the Swede has been forced to play every game rather than a more gradual integration.

Gabriel Jesus is back training after being out since January. What is his future looking like?

Jesus’ journey back has been a long one.

The Brazilian striker has been sidelined since January with an ACL injury sustained against Manchester United in last season’s FA Cup third round. It was a cruel blow having been plagued with previous knee issues, when it seemed like a corner had been turned.

Shortly before his latest injury nightmare, the 28-year-old had struck five goals in the space of four days across two games against Crystal Palace, in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League.

It’s understood that the club are aiming to get Jesus fit enough for some playing time next month and advertise his talents for potential suitors. If a sensible offer comes in, they will look to sell the striker in January. Otherwise, he is earmarked for the exit door next summer.

It’s understood that Arsenal are aiming to get Gabriel Jesus fit enough for some playing time next month and advertise his talents for potential suitors

What’s the latest on Gabriel’s injury?

Gabriel has not travelled with the Brazil squad for their friendly against Tunisia in France after scans confirmed a thigh injury, picked up on home soil at the Emirates Stadium in his country’s 2-0 friendly win over Senegal on Saturday.

The Gunners have a nervous wait to see if the centre back will be available for what is a crunch first week ahead coming out of the international break, facing Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea in the space of eight days.

Gabriel is a highly important player, yet the club are not panicking. Internally, there has been excitement over the progress of Cristhian Mosquera who has impressed each time he has been called upon, including deputising for Gabriel’s centre-back partner William Saliba when he went off injured early at Anfield.

Gabriel has not travelled with the Brazil squad for their friendly against Tunisia in France after scans confirmed a thigh injury against Senegal last weekend

Have the club investigated the injury reasons last season? There are still far too many injuries to our forwards!

This issue has hampered Arsenal in recent seasons, and it’s something the club continues to monitor closely.

In 2022-23, William Saliba’s back injury derailed Arsenal’s title challenge and forced significant defensive reshuffles. Last season, a hamstring issue kept Havertz out for nearly three months, leading to Mikel Merino being repurposed up front.

This season has followed a similar pattern. Arsenal are currently without six attacking players: Havertz, Gyokeres, Martin Odegaard, Jesus, Martinelli and Madueke.

The Gunners continually analyse injury trends and data from the last few seasons has been reviewed in depth.

However, there is also an acceptance at the club that some of this is down to bad timing. Even with careful load management, the modern schedule – two matches most weeks and long-distance travel to fit around training – carries unavoidable risk.

The club believe they are moving into a stronger period as November ends and December begins, with several players close to returning.

It’s understood that all six players are likely to be available by early December.

What’s going on with Myles Lewis-Skelly? Is his future at Arsenal?

Lewis-Skelly shot to prominence around this time last year, becoming Arteta’s first-choice left back last season in starting 15 Premier League matches from December onwards, and earning a call-up to the England senior team under Thomas Tuchel, scoring 20 minutes into his debut against Albania at Wembley.

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s progress has slowed this season, but he is going nowhere

He has won a further five caps, but his progression has naturally slowed this season due to competition with Riccardo Calafiori, the Italian having reclaimed the left-back spot at Arsenal. Lewis-Skelly has yet to start a league game this season, though did star in the 4-0 Champions League thrashing of Atletico Madrid.

Arteta addressed this recently, emphasising the importance of ‘zooming out’: for a 19-year-old, Lewis-Skelly is already ahead of schedule, trusted in big matches and part of a squad competing for major honours. He signed a five-year deal just last summer — and is going nowhere.

It’s understood that with Calafiori having suffered a number of injuries since signing for the club, Arsenal see the youngster as an important part of their squad and are not looking to let him go out on loan in January. The club remain very high on his long-term potential.

Is Andre Harriman-Annous considered a first-team squad player like Max Dowman is now?

While 17-year-old striker Harriman-Annous has trained with the first team frequently this season, his involvement has largely been driven by circumstance rather than status.

Arsenal’s striker shortage has forced Arteta to turn to unconventional solutions, including using Merino as a makeshift No 9. That lack of natural centre forward depth opened a temporary pathway for Harriman-Annous to step up and be part of matchday squads.

He’s made the Arsenal bench for two league games this season, then made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup win over Brighton, playing 77 minutes, before a further nine off the bench away at Slavia Prague.

Without the injury situation, he would not yet be around the senior group to the same extent, but that’s not to say he isn’t highly thought of. Harriman-Annous has performed well at youth level and his application in training has impressed Arteta and staff. His recent call-ups are a reflection of professionalism and potential.

But Dowman is far ahead in the pipeline. Harriman-Annous still has development steps to take before he can be considered part of the first-team squad on merit rather than necessity.

Andre Harriman-Annous made his Arsenal debut against Brighton in the Carabao Cup last month

Does Emerson Nwaneri reach the age qualification to play in a cup game?

Yes – at 15, Emerson Nwaneri, brother of Ethan, is technically old enough to feature in the Carabao Cup.

But… there is no realistic scenario in which he is selected this season. Emerson is still progressing through the academy system and has yet to establish himself in the Under 18s or Under 21s, let alone train with the first team. His Under 18s debut came only last month, away to Fulham.

Ethan became Arsenal’s youngest-ever player at 15 years and 181 days, but that was an exceptional case.

Emerson, a midfielder who can also fill in at right back, is a talent – he scored a hat-trick against Chelsea for the Under 16s in September – but a first-team appearance is some way off still.