Arsenal were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, after a 4-1 home defeat to Manchester City.
The result only puts more pressure on Mikel Arteta, who is coming to the end of his first year as the Gunners manager. There are also increasing questions of the squad, which has been cobbled together in recent years via different regimes and managers.
As such, Arsenal face a potentially pivotal January transfer market in which they will be keen to provide Arteta with the talent to turn around his current poor fortunes.
With that in mind, here is a round-up of the latest transfer rumours.
Vinicius Jr eyed
According to the Star, Arsenal are interested in a loan move for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr.
Mikel Arteta desperately needs reinforcements for his ailing attack, and the Madrid winger is reportedly seen as an ideal addition.
The reports claims the Gunners tried to sign Vinicius while Unai Emery was in charge and the club retains a good relationship with his agent.
Still only 20, the Brazil forward can play anywhere across the front line and has three goals and three assists for Real this season.
Agent confirms Mustafi talks
The agent of Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has confirmed he is in talks with Barcelona over a surprise January transfer for his client.
Mustafi is out of contract at the Emirates in the summer, and now his agent has confirmed he has visited the Camp Nou to thrash out a deal.
Mustafi's agent Emre Ozturk was recently pictured on Instagram at Barcelona's stadium. The post was entitled "ready for meeting".
Ozturk told Spox: "I'm not in Barcelona because of Yusuf Demir, but because of Shkodran Mustafi from Arsenal, whom we also represent."
Arteta transfer update
Speaking after watching his side lose 4-1 to Manchester City, Arteta confirmed the club are looking at potential January signings.
"We are looking at options that we have, players coming in and out," said Arteta. "We will see what happens. It's a really complicated window. We will see how things develop."
On Arsenal's form following their latest defeat, Arteta said: “We have to turn it around, there’s no question about that.
"We are in big trouble. I am focused on the fighters we have. I see a lot of fighters. This was a really painful moment again.
"We conceded a soft goal really early and to get through that is difficult but we reacted and scored. After that we were the better team but then we conceded another soft goal.
“When you give away the goals that we gave against an opponent like this, it makes the game impossible. Then, we have an open situation when we can play Lacazette through and they score on the counter and from an offside position. After that, the game is over.”
