Thursday 17 November 2016 15:02, UK
Who could Arsenal target in the January transfer window? Football Whispers take a look at the latest rumours...
We've been here before. Arsenal, according to the current Premier League standings, are in a title race. With seven wins from their opening 11 fixtures, the Gunners lie just two points behind table toppers Liverpool. But, as history has proven time and time again, this may not be enough.
Arsene Wenger's side have developed the frustrating tendency to underwhelm when the possibility of Premier League silverware comes their way. At the critical moment, something goes wrong, whether that be injuries, team selections or a sudden loss of confidence.
As a result, Wenger would be forgiven for not getting ahead of himself, especially when the Premier League's challengers are of the highest standard seen for many years.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are scoring goals for fun, Chelsea look reborn since Antonio Conte switched to his favoured back three, and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have played superlative football, even if results haven't always matched up.
If Arsenal genuinely hope to sustain a title tilt amid such a competitive environment, they may look for further reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Here, with the help of Football Whispers' unique transfer rumour algorithm, we take a look at two potential additions...
Wenger has always had a proclivity for developing talented young French players.
As great as they went on to become, the likes of Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were far from the finished article when they arrived at Arsenal. The same could be said, albeit to a lesser extent, of current first-team members Laurent Koscielny, Francis Coquelin and Olivier Giroud.
And, if recent reports are to be believed, Wenger may be looking to add to his list of raw French prospects. According to Calciomercato in Italy, AC Milan's 21-year-old forward M'Baye Niang is on Arsenal's radar.
The attacker has long been viewed as one of the brightest talents to come out of his country. Like former Gunner William Gallas, he first broke through at Caen. By the age of 16 he had experienced first team football in France's top division but his career since has been far from a smooth progression.
After one full season of regular football he left Ligue 1 to sign for AC Milan. However, perhaps perturbed by the huge expectations associated with representing one of Italy and Europe's most prestigious clubs, he struggled to assert himself.
He failed to score a single league goal in his first three seasons with the club, a spell that included 33 appearances. But, after a formative loan stint with Genoa, he returned to Milan and established himself as a key player.
Last term he scored five goals and set up a further four for his team-mates in 16 Serie A games. His importance to the team was emphasised by their results following an injury to Niang in February, after which the Rossoneri won just two of their remaining 11 fixtures.
And the player has continued in the same vein this season, scoring three times and assisting twice in nine league starts to reaffirm his value to the team under new manager Vincenzo Montella.
However, the youngster's finishing is not his finest trait. Indeed, his lack of end product has at times let him down.
Instead, he relishes playing in wider and deeper positions that allow him to cut inside and run at opposition defenders. In one-on-one situations, using his speed, strength and skill, he is almost unplayable.
It is reported that a transfer fee in the region of £31 million will be needed to sign Niang, though the price is unlikely to deter Arsenal if they feel the player is worth it. And, while the youngster has improvements to make, Wenger has never shied away from a gamble.
With the guiding hand of an experienced manager with a history of improving raw talent, the versatile, fast and audacious Niang could be the ideal man to lead Arsenal's dynamic attack in the years to come.
In past seasons, Arsenal's defence has often been seen as the difference between winning honours and falling short. However, since the addition of German international Shkodran Mustafi to replace compatriot Per Mertesacker, the Gunners back-line has looked stronger than ever.
With a back four of Hector Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny and Nacho Monreal protecting experienced goalkeeper Petr Cech, Wenger's side have lost just once in the Premier League this term. Furthermore, their goals conceded tally of 11 is bettered only by three teams: Chelsea, Manchester City and rivals Tottenham.
Nonetheless, further central defensive reinforcement would not go amiss, especially as the season wears on and the rigours of competing domestically and in the Champions League take their toll. This may be Arsenal's thinking if The Sun's recent report linking them to Jose Gimenez is to be believed.
During his time at the Vicente Calderon, the 21-year-old has worked with Diego Simeone, one of the game's finest defensive minds, which helps to explain why the Uruguayan is regarded as one of the best young central defenders in the world.
Over the last two seasons, Gimenez has played frequently for Atletico, impressing with his maturity, combativeness, aggressive marking and ability on the ball.
So far this term, he has won 67.4 per cent of his aerial duels and completed an impressive 73 per cent of his attempted passes, statistics that point towards his combination of physical and technical attributes.
If Arsenal are in the market for another centre-back, the promising Atletico youngster would make an outstanding addition both in the short and long term.
