Mikel Arteta's summer shopping spree blew Arsenal's budget and now the Gunners must be clever with their Christmas spending, even if it means Edu has to cut a few corners.
The north London side splashed an eye-watering £150 million on a new goalkeeper, a handful of defenders and a midfielder but Arsenal's transfer chief forgot a forward.
Essentially, it's almost as if Edu was planning a barbecue for his friends and family, emptied his pockets on salad, burgers, sausages, buns and sauces but forgot the finishing touch, dessert - otherwise referred to, in this case, as a striker.
With a New Years party to plan this time around, Edu has seemingly already forgotten to add dessert to his shopping list despite Arteta's growing craving for something sweet.
Anyway, enough of the food metaphors, Arsenal have begun to eye Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo, according to Calciomercato.
The report claims that the Gunners are leading the race for the 25-year-old but face competition from Paris Saint-Germain and AS Roma.
It's added that Aaron Ramsey's side is said to be 'open to everything' with regard to how the transfer is agreed, suggesting that the Brazilian is almost certain to leave the Serie A giants.
However, while Arthur, who is valued at £31.5 million by Transfermarkt, appears an attractive acquisition - the equivalent of buying fancy little cakes for a party - Arsenal already have the answer that can supply Arteta's craving for a new playmaker.
The Gunners are armed with the exciting talent of Charlie Patino - a player who is widely regarded as one of London Colney's biggest talents.
Patino is an excellent young prospect with a low centre of gravity, an eye for a pass and someone who's courageous in possession, sharing a lot of similarities with former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.
The natural compensator for Arthur's skillset would be Wilshere, who has been training with the club recently, although Arteta has all but ruled out the Englishman penning a deal at the Emirates.
Therefore, Arsenal must optimise Wilshere's influence on Patino and pave a pathway for the 18-year-old into the Gunners' starting eleven.
In doing so, the north London side could save themselves around £30 million which can be added to Edu's allowance for his dream dessert, I mean striker, in January.
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