With dreams of a first Premier League title in 19 years edging closer to becoming a reality with every three-point haul, it came as little surprise to see Arsenal dip into their war chest in the January transfer market.
While it may be inaccurate to claim that Arsenal flexed their financial muscles like Chelsea did, a trio of differing acquisitions will all serve their purpose in the Gunners' bid for top-flight glory.
Centre-back Jakub Kiwior, midfielder Jorginho and versatile attacker Leandro Trossard all bring their own unique qualities to all thirds of the field, while strengthening Arsenal's well-documented minimal squad depth.
However, there is a familiar sense of what could have been for the Premier League leaders, who saw some targets stolen from under their noses while being frequently rebuffed in their pursuit of others.
Here, Sports Mole rates all three of the Gunners' winter signings out of 10 as the trio seek to guide Mikel Arteta's side to Premier League glory.
LEANDRO TROSSARD
Very few will need to tell Leandro Trossard that he was not the first name on Arsenal's attacking shortlist, as the Belgium international found himself below Joao Felix and Mykhaylo Mudryk after going off the boil a tad at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Most Gooners quickly recovered from the disappointment of losing out on Felix to Chelsea as they prioritised a move for Mudryk, but Todd Boehly is now public enemy number one at the Emirates after hijacking Arsenal's bid for the Ukrainian.
Refusing to spend £88m on Mudryk, Arsenal spent less than a third of the money to capture Premier League-proven Trossard, who immediately brings a welcome sense of experience to a youthful frontline.
The acrimonious nature of his departure from Brighton helped accelerate Trossard's £26m move to North London, and the 28-year-old made an immediate impression on his debut against Manchester United.
Playing a key role in Eddie Nketiah's last-gasp winner, Trossard was also the Gunners' standout performer in the weekend's FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, although his efforts at the Etihad Stadium did not bear fruit.
With the Europa League knockout rounds to come, Trossard is already proving to be a valuable asset amid Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson's injury woes, and his versatility across the forward line is gold dust to Arteta too.
Failure to cough up the big bucks for Mudryk did not go down well with every Arsenal fan in the land, though, and Trossard will not be expected to consistently challenge Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka for starting roles.
Rating: 7/10
Jakub Kiwior
The integration of William Saliba into the backline has almost been like a new signing for Arsenal, as the Frenchman waited for over three years before finally making a first-team appearance.
While Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes's partnership has been a driving force in Arsenal's run to the top, the latter has been left with a distinct lack of left-footed cover, which is where Kiwior steps in.
A centre-back who once cost just a mere €10,000 (£8,833) arrived in North London in a £21m operation this time around, and upon a quick glance of the defender's highlight reel, it is easy to see why he caught Arteta's eye.
Describing himself as a centre-back who loves to pass the ball, the Poland international - who is still just 22 years old - has a fight on his hands to earn regular minutes over Gabriel, but both men will relish the competition.
As is the case with Trossard, Kiwior will be a useful option in upcoming European games and could enjoy a decade-long stint of success with Arsenal - wishful thinking of course, but the 6ft 2in defender certainly beefs up Arteta's backline.
While it remains to be seen how well Kiwior can adapt to Premier League football, the Pole was trusted enough to start every game for his nation at the 2022 World Cup, and he can also provide cover on the left or in midfield if necessary.
Rating: 8/10
Jorginho
The Youri Tielemans ship has seemingly sailed, West Ham United will not consider bids for Declan Rice until the summer, and Brighton & Hove Albion remained unwavering in their stance on Moises Caicedo despite the Ecuadorian's public desire to leave.
Those at Arsenal supposedly believed that a £60m offer was fair for the latter - who does not exactly hold an abundance of Premier League experience - but Brighton thought differently and quoted the Gunners £100m after two failed bids.
In what was nearly a carbon copy of the Mudryk deal, Arsenal - who have historically developed a reputation for seeking out cheap alternatives to big-money buys - did exactly that with the signing of Jorginho.
Buying a player who was named the best in Europe by UEFA in 2021 for £12m is a shrewd bit of business at a first glance, and the 31-year-old's title-winning experience and Premier League nous will definitely come in handy over the next few months.
Jorginho can arguably be viewed as a Granit Xhaka backup more than cover for Thomas Partey, but concerns are already arising whether the deep-lying playmaker is indeed suited to Arteta's high-pressure, physical and relentless style of play.
With Mohamed Elneny potentially out for the season with a knee injury and Albert Sambi Lokonga joining Crystal Palace on loan, Jorginho will have a huge role to play as one of Arsenal's three senior midfield options, and he is only under contract until 2024 with the option of an additional year.
While saving their resources for a summer assault on Rice or Caicedo, Arsenal should witness Jorginho do a competent job for the time being, but plenty have still been left underwhelmed by his arrival.
Rating: 6/10
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