Ask any Arsenal fan what is the cause of the club's shortcomings this season, and chances are most will say it is the team's defensive frailties.
After selling former captain Thomas Vermaelen to La Liga giants Barcelona for £15m, the north London side were expected to sign a replacement, but failed to bring in anyone before the summer transfer window shut close.
The FA Cup holders' season took a turn for the worse after losing summer signing Mathieu Debuchy and French defender Laurent Koscielny to injuries, who are both yet to return to the squad, leaving Arsenal with only four recognized senior defenders.
However, after their title credentials took another blow in the 2-1 loss to Swansea City on Sunday, a defeat the French manager blamed on his back-line, reports claims Le Prof will be handed £20m for the January transfer window, with Wenger prioritizing signing a center-back.
According to the rumors, Celtic’s Virgil van Dijk, Manchester United's Chris Smalling are both high up Arsene Wenger's wish list, with Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar also tipped as a "cheaper" option for the Gunners.
As written in the Mirror, a holding midfielder, a position that many fans have been crying out for to be filled, appears unlikely to be signed in the new year, but could be dealt with over the summer.
