Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal's next transfer mission with less than two weeks until deadline day.
So far this month, the focus at the Emirates Stadium has been on player departures rather than new arrivals with Sokratis, Sead Kolasinac, and William Saliba all leaving.
And with Mesut Ozil's move to Fenerbahce expected to be confirmed in the coming days, Arteta has admitted the priority from now until the January transfer window closes will be on potential incomings.
Martin Odegaard is the latest name being linked with a move to Arsenal, but another left-back could also be on radar.
The Gunners are short of a natural left-back following Kolasinac's loan move to Schalke, and Arteta has hinted at dipping into the market to provide cover for Kieran Tierney.
"With the departure of Kola we’re a little bit short with a left footed full back at the moment," Arteta said in his pre-Southampton press conference. "We can use Ainsley there, we can use Bukayo there, we can use Cedric who’s played in that position.
"We have some options.
"But a natural option to Kieran obviously we don’t, but we can adapt."
Then when asked if that means he is looking for a left back, Arteta replied by effectively confirming that is the case.
"That means that that option is open," he added. "We will be looking to see what is available."
Those comments have prompted a response from some Arsenal fans on social media as they are speculating that Ainsley Maitland-Niles could be the surprise player who is sold to raise funds to bring in a new left-back.
Take a look at what's been said on Twitter...
Maitland-Niles did cover for Tierney in the goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace, but as pointed out by former Arsenal defender Alex Scott, he looked off the pace in a below-par performance.
"We talk about Tierney, how important he is, what he brings to the team, his runs going forward, his runs on the ball and actually making others play around him," Scott said on Sky Sports. "That was totally missed.
"Maitland-Niles was totally off the pace today, you could see that the confidence wasn’t there, but Tierney was missed today."
