Ever since Arsenal appointed Mikel Arteta as head coach back in December, replacing former boss Unai Emery, the club has been on an upward curve.
On the pitch, prior to the coronavirus shutdown, the Gunners were showing signs of recovery after a torrid first half of the campaign, whilst off it the supporters were beginning to buy into Arteta's methods and philosophy.
Despite the promising start to his tenure as Arsenal head coach, Arteta, who will take his side to the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday evening to restart their Premier League campaign against Manchester City, knows that a long road lies ahead, as he looks to try and turn Arsenal into a formidable force at the top of the Premier League table once again.
There is no doubting that Arteta's job is a long-term project, and for it to head in the right direction that he will be visioning, time will be important, as will the appropriate support in the transfer market.
Ever since English football was sent into shutdown mode almost three months ago, transfer speculation and gossip has taken over as centre of attention, dominating the headlines in the absence of on-field action.
And that has been no different as far as Arsenal are concerned, with the club having been heavily linked with the likes of Atletico Madrid midfield star Thomas Partey, RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano and out-of-contract Chelsea winger Willian.
Now, though, a new name appears to have been thrown into the ring in the shape of Paris-Saint Germain captain Thiago Silva.
According to a report by 90Min, Arsenal are one of five clubs expressing an interest in the Brazilian, who is to leave the Parc des Princes when his contract expires this summer, meaning he would be available on a free-transfer.
As when any transfer rumour comes to light, supporters are quick to voice their opinions on the prospect of their club signing a player, and it has proven no different with Arsenal's supporters.
The Gunners' fans, who are none the wiser as to when they will be allowed back into the Emirates Stadium to watch their team in action again, have quickly voiced their displeasures about the prospect of signing the 35-year-old.
Here is what some Arsenal fans have had to say on Twitter in response to the news...
It is no secret that Arsenal are desperate to bolster their defensive options, with RB Leipzig's Upamecano having been closely linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks.
But with the coronavirus pandemic likely to impact Arsenal's transfer budget for the next window, a move for Silva on a free-transfer may be something that Arteta wishes to explore.
