Arsenal are up to second in the Premier League following a 5-1 thrashing of West Ham last weekend.

The in-form Alexis Sanchez fired home an exceptional hat-trick to inspire the Gunners to a second successive league win, and extend their unbeaten league streak to 13 games.

It was the perfect response from Arsene Wenger’s men, who last week were knocked out of the League Cup by an impressive Southampton side at the Emirates Stadium.

Nonetheless, the Gunners look like a force to be reckoned with the Premier League this season, and they find themselves just three points behind league leaders Chelsea going into their home game against Stoke on Saturday.

Wenger’s men have also qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners after thumping FC Basel 4-1 in Switzerland on Tuesday, coupled with Ludogorets’ surprise 2-2 draw away at Paris Saint-Germain, who had topped the group going into the final round of matches.

However, many still feel that despite their solid start, the Gunners will come up short once again this season, and as a result they have been linked to several players ahead of the January transfer window.

With players also rumoured to be leaving the Emirates, here are TWO that we just cannot see happening in the New Year…

Daniel Sturridge

While Jurgen Klopp may not feel that Daniel Sturridge is good enough to play in his Liverpool team, he clearly knows how good he can be in front of goal.

Thus, the Liverpool boss is highly unlikely to sell him to a title rival.

Sturridge has yet to net for the Reds in the Premier League this season, but has been restricted to just four league starts.

Unsurprisingly, speculation has arisen about his future, especially given that he has looked sharp for England this season, and Arsenal are one of those clubs reportedly interested.

The Gunners attempted a late loan deal for the England striker in the summer, but Liverpool rejected it – they will do the same again if any approach was forthcoming in January.

Mesut Ozil to Man United

As feasible as reuniting with Jose Mourinho sounds, you just cannot see Mesut Ozil being allowed to leave Arsenal for Manchester United in January.

The speculation has come about because the German international has yet to sign an improved deal at the Emirates Stadium, although there’s no clear indication that he’s not going to.

Although manager Wenger has come out and said that there’s no guarantee that Ozil, and indeed in-form forward Sanchez, will sign new deals, he has said that they are not going anywhere yet.

And would he really allow him to leave for a Premier League rival? The last time that happened was with Robin van Persie, and we all remember what he did at Old Trafford.