Arsenal's search for a new midfielder will continue over the final days of the January transfer window after Mikel Arteta's side suffered a blow to Mohamed Elneny. The Egyptian is currently out injured and leaves the Gunners thin in their options in the middle of the park.
Arteta has already admitted his desire to sign another midfielder before the window closes next Tuesday. The Gunners boss explained to football.london prior to Friday's trip to Manchester City that he would like to recruit an additional figure in midfield. "Well, we need some more cover in midfield really if we can," he said.
"In this market, it’s pretty complicated to do that. The most important thing is that we get the performances and the time on the pitch that we need with the players we have available today that are already really good."
READ MORE: Ibrahima Bamba justified £26.4m Arsenal interest after Benfica starring role caught Edu's eye
Plenty of names have been linked with a move to north London but, as expected, a winter move is likely to prove difficult so close to the deadline. However, two players linked to the Gunners are Vitoria Guimaraes' Ibrahima Bamba and Real Sociedad anchor Martin Zubimendi.
Reports from Portuguese outlet Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness) have claimed Arsenal have moved 'on the front line' for Bamba, with a reported €30million (£26.4million) available for activation. The same stance applies to Zubimendi with Sociedad demanding the activation of his €60million (£52.7million) release clause.
It remains unclear how far down the line Edu Gasper is with either deal. But with less than a week remaining until transfer deadline day, work will need to be quick and swift should the Gunners avoid a repeat of the summer's late attempt to sign Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa.
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at the possible shirt numbers available for either of the midfielders. No.2 is currently available but is unlikely to be selected for a midfielder - although Frenchman Abou Diaby did hold the number between 2006 and 2013.
Next up is No.13 that was last worn by Runar Alex Runarsson. Historically a natural goalkeeper number - eight of the previous nine players were goalkeepers - the No.13 could be selected and follow the likes of Aleksandr Hleb and Ray Parlour.
Cedric Soares' imminent loan move to Fulham will leave No.17 open and could see either Bamba or Zubimendi fill in. The number has history with central midfielders such as Alex Song, Edu Gasper and Emmanuel Petit meaning it could be an easy choice.
Similar to Cedric, Nuno Tavares' and Pablo Mari's temporary departures in the summer have left the door open for a new recruit to take the No.20 and No.21. There is also Folarin Balogun's old number, No.26, available after the striker moved to Reims in France on loan.
Further down the list is No.28, No.28, No.31, No.32 and No.33. Oleksandr Zincheko currently possesses the highest number at 35. No.77, worn previously by Bukayo Saka and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, is also available and could be a tempting choice.
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