After confirmation that the London club will lose key defender Per Mertesacker for the remainder of 2016, Arsenal are now on the hunt for a replacement for the big German.
Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi and Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly are among the Gunners' top prospects, as Arsene Wenger wants to strengthen his defence.
“I don't count that Per will be back before the end of the year and I will miss him deeply, we have lost a heavyweight in our dressing room," Wenger said.
“The best way to conclude transfers is not to talk about it, but we are in the market. Do I think we will sign an experienced central defender before the season starts? Yes, I do.
“We are still in the market for players, whether it is at the front or the back. Unfortunately we are not alone. I can understand the expectation level and anxiety level of our fans because they see other clubs bringing players in.
“Despite all the money clubs have, not too much has happened until now. We know from experience the most active period is in the last week of August and at the moment it is still a big poker game everywhere.”
Arsenal have less than two weeks to sign a replacement before the season begins, as they host Liverpool on August 15.
