Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta outlined that his side are "in the market" for new players after watching the Gunners maintain their perfect start to the new Premier League season.
The Londoners showed resilience to grind out a 2-1 win over Aston Villa courtesy of goals from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, who scored either side of Douglas Luiz, who managed to net directly from a corner.
Arsenal remain top of the pile after winning their opening five games of the new campaign - but Arteta now has a midfield conundrum to contend with. Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny both missed Wednesday night's victory through injury, while Martin Odegaard also hobbled off in the closing stages.
Speaking after the match, Arteta admitted: "Obviously it has an impact because Thomas [Partey] and [Mohamed] Elneny are injured and we’re a bit short in that position. We have Sambi [Albert Sambi Lokonga] and players like Granit [Xhaka] who can play there. We are looking at options in the market. The club has been super supportive to improve the squad. If the right player is there and we can do it, we will try."
With Arteta admitting that Arsenal could be forced back into the market, Mirror Football runs the rule over four potential deadline day targets the Spaniard could make a move for...
Douglas Luiz
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Fresh from netting against Arsenal, Douglas Luiz could emerge as an unlikely candidate to solve the current midfield crisis in north London.
Arteta knows of Luiz from his Manchester City days, and Aston Villa could be receptive to offers for the 24-year-old given that his current deal has less than a year to run.
Villa have insisted that Luiz will not be sold ahead of the deadline - but a substantial proposal could seriously test that stance in the coming hours.
Youri Tielemans
The Gunners have been linked with Youri Tielemans all summer - and they could finally firm up their interest ahead of Thursday night's deadline.
Tielemans has less than 12 months to run on his current deal at the King Power Stadium and is free to negotiate a free transfer with teams from oversea in January - meaning this could represent Leicester City's final opportunity to cash in on the 25-year-old.
But with Newcastle also reportedly mulling over a move for Tielemans, a deadline day deal could be far from straightforward.
Danilo
Arsenal are reportedly admirers of Danilo, but the Palmeiras midfielder could prove to be difficult to obtain on deadline day.
Goal claimed on Wednesday that the 21-year-old had been the subject of a £20million Arsenal bid, however, the Brazilian outfit are expected to stand firm and snub any proposals for the coveted youngster.
Danilo was linked with a move to the Emirates earlier in the summer and could remain on Arsenal's shortlist for the future if a deal cannot be struck before 11pm.
Ruben Neves
Arsenal were tipped to spend big on Ruben Neves in the summer but reported interest in the Portuguese playmaker has so far failed to amount to anything concrete.
Neves, who was also being pursued by Manchester United, was expected to depart Molineux this summer but is still on the books at Wolves.
And although Arsenal's interest in the 25-year-old appears to have cooled, Arteta could be persuaded to rekindle that interest in a bid to prise Neves away before the deadline.
Pedro Neto
Away from midfield, it has been claimed that Arteta is keen on acquiring another wide-man before the transfer winder slams shut.
It was revealed earlier this month that Pedro Neto had emerged as a target for the Gunners and that striking a deal for the Portuguese winger had been outlined as a 'priority'.
Wolves are believed to be reluctant to entertain any bids for Neto - but the 22-year-old would be the type of marquee deadline day signing that would really send a statement to the rest of the Premier League.
Wilfried Zaha
Unai Emery may have snubbed the idea of snapping up Wilfried Zaha during his ill-fated tenure, but Arteta could rekindle that interest before Thursday night's deadline.
Murmurs over the Crystal Palace talisman's future have resurfaced in recent weeks with Chelsea also believed to be mulling over a surprise last-gasp move for the 29-year-old.
Zaha would fit the bill for Arteta - and a deal could be achievable with the winger set to be out of contract at Selhurst Park next summer.
