The final days of the transfer window could see remarkable change to Arsenal's midfield.
Mikel Arteta wants to add at least one new midfielder to his squad and is preparing a new bid for Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar to add creativity to his midfield.
Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid is another target of Arsenal's but any additions need to go hand-in-hand with players departing a first-team squad that currently numbers 32.
There are several in Arteta's squad who the manager would be keen to see depart on a permanent basis. Talks are taking place over the sale of Sead Kolasinac to Bayer Leverkusen and Lucas Torreira to Atletico Madrid but Arsenal are also conscious that several of their brightest young prospects need game time that they cannot be guaranteed at the Emirates Stadium.
Among those is Reiss Nelson, whose representatives and Arsenal are working to secure a loan deal after the winger was left out of the squad for each of the first three Premier League games of the season.
Crystal Palace are among the clubs keen to secure Nelson's whilst Brighton and Hove Albion and Burnley have also been linked with the 20-year-old.
Nelson did not want to leave this club at the start of the summer but as his frustration mounts over his limited opportunities to prove his worth to Arteta he is understood to be more open to a temporary move away from the Emirates Stadium.
One player who, as things stand, will not be joining him out on loan for the time being is Emile Smith Rowe. The playmaker, who is due to return to training shortly after a shoulder injury, spent the second half of last season with Huddersfield Town.
Arteta is a firm admirer of Smith Rowe and believes that working under him is the best environment for the 20-year-old to develop for the time being. Arsenal view the youngster as a No.8 or No.10, both positions where Aouar would add to their options.
As such there remains a possibility that player and club could come to the same conclusion over Smith Rowe as they have over Nelson, that he will not get the regular game time he needs to develop. If Arsenal's stance were to change then the young playmaker has Fulham and Southampton among his admirers.
Discussing Smith Rowe late last season, Arteta said: "I am excited to work with him. I have been talking with him and I have followed him during his spell on loan.
"I think he's someone who can be pretty impressive. I'm pleased by what I've seen from him."
