Arsenal's search for defensive reinforcements before the January transfer window closes has seen them linked with a move for Ryan Bertrand.
The left-back is out of contract at Southampton at the end of the season and the Evening Standard are reporting that the Gunners are monitoring his situation along with other targets.
Furthermore, the report states that the Saints would not sanction a sale this month as Bertrand is their only senior left-back
So, barring a u-turn from the south coast club, it would appear that Arsenal will have to look elsewhere to complete Mikel Arteta's wish to bring in cover for Kieran Tierney.
"With the departure of Kola we’re a little bit short with a left-footed full-back at the moment," Arteta said on Thursday in his pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup tie against Southampton.
"We can use Ainsley there, we can use Bukayo there, we can use Cedric who’s played in that position.
"We have some options.
"But a natural option to Kieran obviously we don’t, but we can adapt.
"We will be looking to see what is available.
But would Bertrand, who remains in talks with the Saints over an extension, even be tempted by a move to the Emirates where he'd go from being an automatic starter to competing with Tierney for a spot at left-back?
Judging by the defender's comments from a few days ago, it would appear that he's planning to stay at St Mary's for a while yet.
"I want to stay at the club. I want to be part of this and to keep going and to keep developing," he said when speaking to BBC Radio Solent. "I want to see how far we can go.
"We can do some great things.
"I love being here. I have grown on the field, off the field and I’ve learned a lot of things.
"We're now at a stage where we were during my first three years here. There was a bit of turbulence but now we’ve got it back.
"The seatbelts are fully fastened now, let's see how far we go."
