Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti waited for Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette after the Gunners' recent clash against Manchester United, according to reports.
The French centre-back was spotted among the Emirates Stadium crowd on New Year's Day for Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
Umtiti had posted a picture of himself watching on from the stands as Mikel Arteta earned his first win as Gunners head coach, thanks to goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis.
And according to ESPN, Umtiti also waited for Lacazette after the game at the Emirates so they could celebrate the result together.
The Barca defender is thought to be close friends with the Arsenal striker from their time together at Lyon and the France national team.
But Umtiti's activity still prompted excitement from Arsenal supporters, with the north London side understood to be in the transfer market for reinforcements this month.
With Calum Chambers ruled out for up to nine months with a ruptured cruciate ligament, Arteta confirmed Arsenal will be actively searching for the right addition to strengthen their backline.
"That we're going to try to be in the market to see options that can strengthen the team. That's for sure. That's our obligation. We're going to be working on that," Arteta said ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup tie against Leeds.
"My obligation is to give my opinion on the things I think we can improve.
"Obviously we have some bad injury with Calum [Chambers] a few days ago that is going to change our plans at the back. But the reality at the moment is we're not going to be able to do much.
"I'm more concerned at the moment to get people back from injuries than signings and try to improve the players we have here, get everybody on board with what we're trying to do. If something extra comes up and we think it's the right opportunity let's do it.
"He's (Chambers) in London. He's having surgery. We will know more about that this afternoon when he comes back from the theatre."
