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According to ESPN, Arsenal are considering a January swoop for Chelsea's Gary Cahill in a bid to solve their defensive injury crisis, but the rumoured interest is bad news for Laurent Koscielny.

What's the word?

Well, ESPN understands that the veteran centre-back is regarded as a short-term solution for the void left by Rob Holding's long-term knee injury, and that a loan move would be likely as Cahill has been told he can leave when the transfer window opens.

The 32-year-old has made almost 300 career appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit but his current deal expires in the summer and he is surely annoyed by his lack of game-time - the former England defender has been afforded just 21 minutes of Premier League football this term.

The club captain surely has a limited amount of time until he can no longer compete at the top level so the winter window may be his best chance to secure a move elsewhere, otherwise he risks being a benchwarmer at Chelsea until his contract runs down.

However, these reports should concern the Gunners' own club captain, Laurent Koscielny - the Frenchman is nearing a return to match fitness after getting minutes under his belt for the development side, but a move for Cahill surely suggests that Emery doesn't see him as part of his plans.

Left out Laurent

The number 6, like Cahill, has been a loyal servant to his club since his arrival from Lorient in 2010 and was rewarded in the summer as new boss Emery handed him the armband on a permanent basis - however an Achilles tendon rupture suffered in May saw that he has spent six months on the treatment table.

Since Emery's takeover, the Gunners have undergone a transformation that has seen them regain some of the verve they were renowned for in Arsene Wenger's glory days but Holding's injury will come as a huge blow to the north London outfit - the 23-year-old has been one of their most consistent performers thus far.

One would assume that Koscielny can step up, having cemented his status as one of the best in the Prem over the years, but now, at the age of 33, it seems Emery believes the 51-cap international may be past his best and hence a move for Cahill may be in the pipeline.

The former Bolton man is of the same mould to 'Lolo', as he has been affectionately dubbed by the Emirates faithful - both are great leaders and entering the twilight of their careers so a swoop for the former seems terminal for the latter.