Arsenal have been working with a small squad this season. That has only been made even smaller for Mikel Arteta due to regular injuries and long-term fitness worries.

The lack of depth throughout has not forced a chaotic January transfer window, though. Under the guidance of interim sporting director Jason Ayto, it has been a month of quiet action for Arsenal.

They are putting the cogs in place for a much busier summer without appearing desperate right now. Deadline day could see things change.

What Arsenal do need to keep in mind is that Premier League rules allow for a maximum of 18 non-homegrown players to be named in the squad. Under-21 players do not count towards that number.

Here, and sticking to those stipulations, football.london takes a look at how Arsenal might end deadline day in a dream world.

Goalkeepers: David Raya, Neto

With Tommy Setford and Jack Porter as the emergency youth backup, don't expect any movement in goal. Although another gloveman will be needed over the summer to replace Neto, Arsenal are all set in the position for now.

Dan Bentley (Wolves) and Joan Garcia (Espanyol) were the two most closely looked at last year. Deals for either of them may well be on the agenda again moving forward.

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Defenders: William Saliba, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior

This is undoubtedly the most stacked area of the team for Arsenal. Although there have been injury issues that continue to plague Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, the introduction of Myles Lewis-Skelly into the first-team setup has given Arteta some much-needed cover at full-back.

Given Tomiyasu's lack of football there is an argument not to name him at all in the squad after the window. However, if deals for Kieran Tierney and/or Olekandr Zinchenko were to go through it would leave Arsenal exposed to more fitness issues.

At this stage it seems unlikely that Zinchenko or even Jakub Kiwior move on. In an ideal world Arteta would be able to recoup some money for the pair as they have had a limited impact so far.

Youngsters Maldini Kacurri and Josh Nichols have been called on to make up the numbers on the bench. Thomas Partey has featured at right-back. The big question is whether the risk of being left short at the back is worth the potential money from selling Zinchenko or Kiwior. Tierney should be out.

Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey, Jorginho

For now this area of the field is fine for Arsenal. Especially when Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are taken into account. For Premier League purposes, neither have to be counted in the 25-man squad.

However, come the summer both Thomas Partey and Jorginho will be out of contract and it doesn't look like either will be staying beyond June 30. This is why there have been attempts to land Martin Zubimendi.

If Arsenal could have brought a £51million deal forward to January, then they surely would have in order to try and get some money for their soon-to-be-gone ageing midfielders. Nothing is going to happen here now, though.

Attackers: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Ollie Watkins

This is where things do get interesting. Arsenal's two big targets in the final week of the window have been Mathys Tel and Ollie Watkins. Not only as cover for Bukayo Saka - because neither player is naturally a right-winger, even if they are versatile - Arsenal simply need some more attacking firepower.

The Raheem Sterling loan just hasn't worked so Arteta is after more options. Watkins would be an ideal buy but at more than £60million it would be a big outlay on a 29-year-old unproven at an elite team. Villa won't be keen to sell after letting Jhon Duran go, even for a huge sum.

Tel, not listed above as he is 19 and would be part of the Under-21 cohort, as a loanee is an interesting one. He makes more sense on a permanent move after Gabriel Jesus' injury. The Brazilian may as well not be included as he won't be available until the summer.

To get both Tel and Watkins before the close would be quite the coup for Arsenal. Tel would need to hit the ground running, though, after not playing much football in the last six months. If Arsenal made a good home for him then it might help the chances of completing a summer deal.

Arsenal dream squad: David Raya*, Neto, William Saliba, Ben White*, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice*, Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Bukayo Saka*, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling*, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Ollie Watkins*

*Homegrown

Under-21 players: Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Mathys Tel