Arsenal are seemingly targeting a major addition this month if emerging reports are to be believed...

What's the word?

According to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the north London outfit are seeking a new option to bolster Mikel Arteta's engine room before the deadline on January 31st and they have as many as three names on their shortlist.

"Arsenal are working to sign a new midfielder. Bruno Guimarães appreciated but currently not discussed as January target - deal too complicated, €45m fee," he tweeted.

"Arthur Melo on loan has been discussed days ago - but still no talks/contacts with Juve. Three names in the list."

Exciting news

This will come as exciting news to those around the Emirates Stadium as it is no secret that the Gunners desperately need reinforcements in the heart of midfield.

The north Londoners will be without Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny for the rest of the month as both players are competing at the Africa Cup of Nations, whilst Ainsley Maitland-Niles has completed a loan move to Jose Mourinho's AS Roma, so that leaves Arteta even more light on options.

"We are very, very short at the moment. We are going to move and look for options because we are very short there," the 39-year-old revealed to reporters this week.

Indeed, he now only has Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga to call upon for that deeper role, with Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe capable of playing further forward.

An injury to any of these names could quickly curtail Arsenal's progress this campaign as they find themselves firmly in the race for a top-four finish.

There is only a four-point gap to seventh place, so the Gunners cannot afford a slip-up and that's why the club's hierarchy must push ahead with plans to land a new midfielder this month.

It is certainly encouraging to see them being proactive - as Romano states, they are working to sign someone - so that should leave supporters absolutely buzzing.

AND in other news, David Ornstein: Arsenal now lead race for "complete" goal machine...