The skipper is out of contract next summer.
Many Arsenal fans have thought that the club needs a defensive midfielder for some time, but with captain Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Mathieu Flamini all out of contract next summer the problem is becoming more prevalent.
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Here are six players the Gunners could sign in January to solve the issue.
Lars Bender, Bayer Leverkusen
Linked with the North Londoners for some time, Bender takes his role as a holding player very seriously and rarely ventures too far forward – much like Chelsea legend Claude Makelele.
Source: Metro.
William Carvalho, Sporting Lisbon
A well regarded figure in Portugal and a midfielder who was strongly linked with the Premier League over the summer, but unless Sporting lower their asking price frugal manager Arsene Wenger will not be convinced.
Source: Daily Express.
Asier Illarramendi, Real Madrid
Made a big money move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in 2013, but unlike fellow signings of that time Gareth Bale and Isco has failed to establish himself in the starting XI and could be open to a move away.
Source: Mirror.
Sami Khedira, Real Madrid
Staying with Los Blancos and a Germany international who has long been linked with the North London club with his current contract in the Spanish capital expiring next summer.
Source: Independent.
Grzegorz Krychowiak, Sevilla
Only made the move to Spain from Reims in the summer, but if an offer came in from a Champions League side then the Poland international is bound to be tempted.
Source: Daily Star.
Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton
After seeing an exodus from St Mary’s over the summer Schneiderlin wanted to join them, but was denied by new manager Ronaldo Koeman and has been playing well since, yet has still revealed he wants to move to a ‘big club.’
Source: Mirror.