After missing out on bringing a midfielder to the Emirates Stadium on deadline day, a central star remains firmly at the top of Arsenal's transfer wish list. Amid injuries to Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey, the Gunners lodged numerous late bids for Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, but a deal couldn't be completed.
While Arsenal's start to the season has been almost faultless in terms of results, there is a feeling among the Gunners fanbase that their side are light in midfield. Elneny is a long-term absentee, while Partey has already had a couple of different injury problems this season - leading to Jermaine Jenas saying that Mikel Arteta 'can't rely' on the Ghanaian.
The rumour mill is already turning ahead of the January transfer window, with Luiz, Youri Tielemans and Manuel Locatelli among those linked with a move to north London. Luiz has left than a year left on his deal, Tielemans is in the same contract situation at Leicester City, while Locatelli was a target for Arsenal before he even joined Juventus.
