Mikel Arteta has already given the green light on one potential transfer for Arsenal this January as the Gunners look to bolster their options to keep their fine form going.
The Spaniard's side currently sit fourth in the Premier League table and will remain their at the turn of the calendar year, an impressive feat considering Arsenal were 15th in the table the same time 12 months ago.
Arsenal's most recent league outing saw them cruise past Norwich City, beating the Canaries 5-0 on their own patch to extend their advantage over fifth-placed Spurs to six points, though their north London neighbours have played three games less.
In a bid to ensure they remain in fourth come the end of the season, Arteta is likely to try and strengthen his squad come the transfer window's opening next month.
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One name that has been touted with a switch to the Emirates is that of struggling Barcelona midfielder Phillipe Coutinho, with a number of different Spanish outlets suggesting a deal between the two parties could be struck.
Arsenal will have to fend off interest from shock suitors Everton, who remain very interested in the Brazilian despite his five-year stint with fierce rivals and neighbours Liverpool.
Coutinho is Barcelona's highest earner, but has reportedly already fallen out of favour with new manager Xavi Hernandez, who deems the 29-year-old surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.
Given the perilous financial situation Barcelona currently find themselves in, they are working tirelessly to offload the attacking midfielder who rarely features.
Barcelona have harboured hope that whichever club they eventually ship Coutinho to, that outfit will pay either part or all of his wages.
According to Fichajes.net, that club is Arteta's Arsenal, the report stating how the Gunners boss gave ' a resounding yes when approving the arrival’ of Coutinho.
Arsenal are thought to be of the belief they can help the 29-year-old recapture the kind of for that made Coutinho a firm fan favourite during his five-year stay at Anfield.
Arteta has spoken to the media about his plans for the upcoming window.
"It would be useful to change something, even if it is never easy,” he told reporters.
"We are working towards this, to understand what our needs are, and to find the right solutions."
Whether Arsenal or Everton end up securing the midfielder's signature, what is certain is Coutinho's time at Barcelona appears to have come to its end following Xavi's appointment.
Arsenal already have a wealth of options in attacking midfield, both Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe putting in a number of stellar displays in recent weeks.
While Odegaard has shown signs of the kind of talent Real Madrid hoped to unlock in his younger days, Smith Rowe has been in lethal form in front of goal, boasting eight league goals for the season.
