Arsenal are plotting a late transfer move for Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt.

What's the story?

Mikel Arteta's side are short on cover at left-back having allowed Sead Kolasinac to join Bundesliga giants Schalke on loan earlier in this January transfer window.

It's mean Scotland international Kieran Tierney is the Gunners' only natural player in that role, with Cedric having to fill in for the former Celtic man's absence in recent games.

Now, The Daily Mirror claim that Arsenal are considering a late move for Van Aanholt, and that with the 30-year-old being out of contract in the summer, "Palace could be tempted to let him leave now to avoid losing him for nothing in six months’ time".

Edu masterclass

It was only twelve months ago of course that Edu landed Cedric from Southampton - another veteran full-back with plenty of Premier League experience and someone whose contract at the club was coming to an end.

£55,000-a-week man Van Aanholt is in a similar situation at Palace, and Edu could take advantage and deliver the Gunners another masterclass of a signing by bringing the Dutchman in on the cheap.

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His former manager at Sunderland, Gus Poyet said: "You need to be really on top of him for his defensive duties and maybe have people around who can help him to maintain the mentality you need to defend. He’s a very offensive full back. He has an explosive ability to go forward and help the team to create chances.

"I would say use him as much as you can on the offensive side, and convince him to help with his defensive duties. But that’s his character. It is what it is. We can’t change that and he can’t be a different player than he is."

The £7.2m-rated ace has played over 200 times in the Premier League alone, so would be more of a guarantee in hitting the ground running. In terms of providing cover for Tierney, Edu surely must try to bring Van Aanholt in on deadline day.