Mikel Arteta is running out of options as multiple Arsenal targets fall out of his reach.
The Gunners were expected to have a busy January transfer window given they are in touching distance of a top-four spot, as well as their lack of depth in midfield and up front.
The north Londoners had identified Dusan Vlahovic as their number one priority and were willing to break the bank to facilitate the deal, but the Fiorentina man was unconvinced as he looks set to join Juventus.
Arteta lined up Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic as an alternative to the Serbian as he looked into the possibility of a loan deal.
The Arsenal boss wanted to add reinforcements in the middle of the park as well with the likes of Arthur Melo, Bruno Guimaraes and Renato Sanches, who is a free agent in the summer, linked with a switch to the Emirates.
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But one by one, they are falling by the wayside and the Spaniard is running out of options with less than a week left of the transfer window.
Jovic was a strong candidate to solve Arsenal's issues up front, at least in the short term, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang frozen out of the side after he was stripped of the captaincy.
Carlo Ancelotti's men were open to a deal, but an injury to Karim Benzema means he is going nowhere, according to Marca.
The French talisman picked up a knock against Elche and alongside Mariano Diaz, who is also on the sidelines, Madrid might need to call on Jovic from now until the end of the season.
Arsenal have been hit with another setback in regards to their pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle have launched a £30million bid for the Lyon midfielder as Eddie Howe looks to flex their financial muscles to avoid relegation with a move for Jesse Lingard hanging in the balance.
Globo claim that the Mapgies' offer has been accepted which means Arsenal are set to miss out on the Brazilian who they have been keeping an eye on this month.
Arthur Melo is another move that looks unlikely despite a productive meeting between his agent Federico Pastorello and sporting director Edu.
The Gunners are struggling to come to an agreement with Juventus for the Brazilian as financial stumbling blocks have emerged.
Arsenal have offered to take the midfielder on loan until the end of the season, but the Italians would like an obligation to buy inserted in the deal - something the Gunners are against as a permanent transfer is out of the equation.
Arteta insists they will not make any hasty decisions and only go for players that can take them to the next level.
“It’s what we planned, but the market is difficult, it’s complicated,” the Spaniard said.
“We knew that but it’s a lot to manage and we have to make the right decisions with players that we believe are going to really help us and try to bring in ones that can take us to the next level.
“We are certainly trying, but I don’t know if we’re going to be able to do it. Let’s see, it’s not only our intention but a lot of facts that are needed to happen.
“Players that come here have to be able to take us to the next level. We already have a level, and we want to see much better standards than we already have, and that is how we’re going to recruit.”
