Arsenal will try to sign a midfielder in the remaining days of the January transfer window, journalist Charles Watts has claimed.
What's the word?
The Gunners may have been dealt a blow as it appears that Mohamed Elneny has picked up a long-term injury, and this could mean they hunt for extra cover for Thomas Partey at the base of the midfield in the coming days.
They have been linked with a move for Moises Caicedo, although the reported price tag of £100m could put Mikel Arteta off.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts claimed that Arsenal will definitely try to sign a midfielder as they aim to boost their title challenge for the second half of the season.
He said: "I think they'll try; no doubt about it, they'll try. I mean, Mikel made that clear yesterday. Whether they can get it over the line or not, we'll have to wait and see, because it all depends on the player, it depends on the selling club, it depends on what the bid is.
"It's impossible to predict if they will get it done or not, but they're certainly going to try - and they will try again in the summer in terms of central midfield."
The most crucial area
Arsenal have done well to strengthen their squad depth across the squad with the likes of Jakub Kiwior, Fabio Vieira and Leandro Trossard arriving within the last two windows, and are well-stocked across the pitch in arguably every area apart from the centre of midfield - particularly when you consider Granit Xhaka has been playing further up the pitch and Elneny is now out injured.
Thomas Partey has been exceptional this season, but given his poor injury record since his arrival in 2020, relying on him to stay fit could be a risky endeavour.
Although Elneny could provide adequate backup, if both are injured, Arsenal's excellent form could be in real danger of collapsing, and a player who can comfortably play the role of defensive midfielder to sit behind Xhaka and Martin Odegaard would help maintain the squad's level of performance - though time is running out to find the elusive talent.