Welcome to The Arsenal Way daily round-up where we take a look at some of the best Arsenal stories that you might have missed.
Mikel Arteta has reportedly given his 'seal of approval' for the signing of a Barcelona star which is likely to concern the likes of Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe.
Reported Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic has dealt the Gunners not one but two major blows in another disappointing development.
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka has spoken about his relationship with the Arsenal fans and the challenges that have come with it.
Let's take a look at the above stories in more detail...
Arteta confirms Coutinho stance
As Barcelona look to offload Phillipe Coutinho in January, Mikel Arteta is said to have given a "resounding yes" to the idea of signing the Brazilian, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.
The report also states that due to Arsenal's improvements on the pitch and the league position they find themselves in, the club is keen to continue strengthening in a bid to bolster their top-four hopes and Coutinho is viewed as an interesting option who can contribute to their ambitions.
Our view: My thoughts on this are clear - we don't need him. Coutinho may be talented but he isn't what this football club requires right now. We have Martin Odegaard finding form, in addition to the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
The focus in January must very much be on securing a new central midfielder, a position that is set to become very unbalanced over the coming weeks due to AFCON and Ainsley Maitland-Niles' expected loan move to Roma.
Arsenal suffer double Dusan blow
Arsenal have suffered another setback in their attempts to persuade reported target Dusan Vlahovic to join the club after Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio revealed that the player's agents do not want to speak to them.
"Arsenal, for example, his agents do not want to speak to them. They think Arsenal is not enough for him and his career," Di Marzio told Sky Italia.
"They think that Tottenham or Man City or Man United are more fit for him."
Vlahovic has scored 18 goals in 22 games this season and has made it clear that he has no intention of signing a new deal with parent club Fiorentina.
Our view: Losing out on a top-quality striker is a tough one to take on its own, but the fact that Tottenham possibly have a better chance of securing his services only makes me more concerned.
I would have loved Vlahovic at Arsenal but he isn't the only striker around and I trust the club to get it right when the time for securing a new one arrives.
Xhaka makes fan admission
Granit Xhaka has admitted that his relationship with the Arsenal supporters has been rocky but feels it's improved over time.
Towards the latter stages of Unai Emery's tenure at the club, Xhaka reacted angrily after being jeered and booed following his substitution.
It led to the Swiss international being stripped of the captain's armband, leaving his Arsenal future in the balance. However, Xhaka signed a new contract this year and is now viewed as a vital part of Arteta's squad.
"After what happened two years ago we were very far from each other," Xhaka said in an interview with The Athletic.
"I think we are step by step coming closer and closer. I don’t believe we will be best friends. But what I can tell people is from the first day until the last day I am here I will do everything for the football club.
"Sometimes you have misunderstandings and I believe this was the only reason for the problem we had between us. I feel much more love than one or two years ago but it is a slow process we have to do with each other."
Our view: As Granit said, I don't think he and the fans will ever see eye to eye but his commitment will always be appreciated. If he can cut out those silly moments, the fractures in the relationship could still be healed with time.
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