Arsenal have been dealt a frustrating transfer setback this week...

What's the word?

Their attempts to sign Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo from Juventus have seemingly hit a stumbling block, according to reliable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

"There’s still nothing agreed for Arthur Melo deal. Next week will be key - Arsenal have decided to push again with Juventus, loan move not approved yet by Allegri," he revealed on Twitter.

"Juve board have not opened talks with Chelsea for Loftus Cheek as potential Arthur replacement, as of now."

Gutting blow

This is a worrying sign heading into the final two weeks of the window.

The Gunners have just seen their north London derby clash with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League postponed due to a lack of available first-team players, with issues ranging from suspected virus cases to injuries, whilst some players are at the Africa Cup of Nations.

It means Mikel Arteta is hugely light on options, particularly in central midfield, where Granit Xhaka is suspended, both Mo Elneny and Thomas Partey are away with their nations for the AFCON, and Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard are injured.

That's why the north Londoners desperately need to bring in Arthur as quickly as possible, so to not yet have a loan move approved is certainly going to leave Arteta worried, if not absolutely fuming.

It is also concerning that the Serie A giants are doing very little themselves as they are yet to advance their interest in Loftus-Cheek as a direct replacement and the slower they move, the more it'll impact a desperate Arsenal.

The Gunners host Burnley at the Emirates next weekend, so there is now time to complete a deal before it's too late.

For the time being, Arteta must be livid with what's happening off the pitch.

AND in other news, Bid made: Arsenal eye move for "complete" £63m-rated "monster"...