Mikel Arteta has been pictured alongside Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke after the Spaniard jetted off to America with just days of the transfer window remaining.
Arteta and Kroenke were seen together at a hockey game watching Colorado Avalanche beat the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night in Denver, Colorado.
Although the reason for Arteta's trip has not been disclosed, it's likely, given the close proximity to the transfer deadline, that he would have travelled to discuss spending plans with Kroenke.
The Gunners are yet to open their chequebook this month - although they were the biggest spenders in the Premier League last summer.
Despite that lavish outlay, the Arsenal hierarchy are willing to back Arteta with more funds this month as he bids to bring Champions League football back to the Emirates.
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Arsenal transfer news LIVE! Isak, Calvert-Lewin emerge as Vlahovic alternatives; £56m deal 'reached'
The Gunners have spent most of the month chasing a big-money deal for Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serbian hotshot is one of the most coveted players in the world right now after notching 17 goals in just 21 league games this term.
But despite stumping up the £59million fee that Fiorentina have reportedly demanded for their star man, Vlahovic is seemingly on the cusp of sealing a switch to Juventus instead.
Arsenal are now expected to turn their attention to other targets in a bid to bolster their frontline.
The likes of Alexandar Isak, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jonathan David are all believed to be on the Gunners' radar - but it's looking more and more likely that Arteta will have to wait until the summer to capture the marquee striker that he so desperately craves, with time now ticking away this month.
The Gunners were also looking to add to their midfield options in the winter window, but talks over a deal for Arthur Melo have been slow.
As well as discussing transfer issues, it's likely that Arteta and Kroenke will have touched base over a new contract for the Arsenal boss.
Recent reports have claimed that the Emirates hierarchy are pleased with the progress that the north Londoners have made under Arteta this season; so much so that the club are keen to reward him with a new deal for his efforts.
Arteta's current contract only has 18 months left to run; meaning he'll be a free agent at the same time that his former mentor, Pep Guardiola, is due to bring his trophy-laden spell at Manchester City to an end.
That's led to some concerns at the club that Arteta could emerge as a natural successor to Guardiola if he continues to impress in the capital.
Nevertheless, negotiations are expected to be relatively straightforward with Arteta more than happy to commit to an extended stay at the club to continue his rebuilding project.
Although Arteta has only managed to lead the club to consecutive eighth-placed finishes since he replaced Unai Emery just over two years ago, the Gunners looked well-placed to clinch a top-four finish this season to finally end their five-year exile from the Champions League.
