Mikel Arteta and Arsenal head towards January having splashed the cash last summer, with a number of moves that have helped to strengthen the Gunners this term.
Big money was spent on Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu and turning Martin Odegaard's loan move from Real Madrid permanent, with Nuno Tavares also joining.
And they have sufficiently strengthened the side to make them top four contenders once more - having been little more than mid-table also-rans in 2020-21.
Now, as eyes turn to the January transfer window, there are questions over who could arrive to add to the current Emirates feel-good factor and which fringe players could head out in search of games.
And in terms of potential arrivals, one of the more standout names - again - is Philippe Coutinho.
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The Barcelona playmaker has struggled to regularly produce at the Nou Camp since joining in January 2018 and the Catalans remain ready to cut their losses.
Coutinho is the club's top earner but new boss Xavi has no plans to use the Brazilian long-term and with the club's financial issues, is looking for ways to offload the 29-year-old with a Premier League return on the cards.
Sport reported previously that Arsenal and Everton were two teams looking for ways to sign Coutinho. But neither have made the jump to try and bring in the Brazilian in previous windows.
Have Your Say! Should Arsenal look to sign Coutinho? Tell us in the comments here.
Now Fichajes report that the North London outfit are keen and even claim that Arteta has ‘given a resounding yes when approving the arrival’ of the South American.
It's also claimed that there's a belief they can get Coutinho back to the type of form he showed whilst at Liverpool where he scored 54 times for the Reds - shining under Brendan Rodgers and in the early days of Jurgen Klopp.
But that is all very much at odds with Arteta's words this week, with him having apparently accepted the difficulties of bringing players in mid-season.
After spending north of £150million in the summer the Gunners boss believes he has the financial backing of the hierarchy should he need it - but stated he was unsure whether new faces will arrive in the opening month of 2022.
"I think they have shown always the support," he said of the owners.
"Since I’ve been here it’s always been the case. We have tried to explain the plan that we want to put in place really openly. Instead of how much money we are going to spend, how much money we are investing in the team and in the football club and go step by step.
"Every case will be treated differently, and every situation will be treated different. But the ambition is only one and it’s trying to be the best team."
Then there is the considerable question that remains as to why Arteta and Arsenal would be willing to splurge considerable funds on Coutinho - who has looked a shadow of his former Liverpool self for some time - with Emile Smith Rowe and Odegaard already in situ and thriving?
Simply, it doesn't make sense. Even more so given the club's current striking situation, in light of the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang situation.
The exiled former club captain - overlooked for selection recently after committing a "disciplinary breach" - could depart in January if an acceptable offer is forthcoming.
That would increase Arsenal's desperation for striking reinforcements, particularly with Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette's futures up in the air too, with both out of contract next summer.
The club are braced for transfer offers for Nketiah - who scored a Carabao Cup hat-trick in midweek - in January, as clubs look to secure his signature immediately, rather than waiting until the end of the season, when he will be available for nothing.
Arteta's focus is on solving his signs No.9 issues, not adding and looking to rejuvenate Coutinho's career.
