Arsene Wenger and Arsenal are gearing up for a big transfer window, with major needs on the defensive end. Arsenal has been successful this season, but has lost major players to injury in the midfield and at center back and need to sure up the middle of the field for their championship run. These are the players that will be on the top of the Gunners' wish list and could be in London for 2016. (Getty)
John Stones is one of the best young English defender, but may not be headed to the Emirates. Although Arsenal has been in hot pursuit of John Stones, the London side might not be signing the central defender in January. With hot pursuit from such rivals as Chelsea, Arsenal has turned their sights away from the Everton defender, especially with Laurent Koscielny getting fit for the Gunners. Other injuries, like those to Santi Cazorla, have moved Arsenal's focus to central midfield, with options from both Portugal and Germany. (Getty)
William Carvalho can be the force that Arsenal needs in the midfield. Carvalho has been slapped with a 35 million pound release clause from Sporting Lisbon and Arsenal may be able to get the central defensive midfielder for closer to 25 million pounds. Sporting sit on top of the Portugese league table and are hesistant to move the 23-year-old, but can be swayed with a healthy transfer fee. Another major issue is his lack of football this season after he fractured his tibula at the European Under-21 Championships, a bad sign for an already unhealthy Arsenal midfield. (Getty)
Lars Bender has been a force in German for the better part of a decade and could be Arsenal's new man in the middle. Arsenal has been linked with Bender in the past and it looks like the Gunners have been given the green light by Bayer Leverkusen. The 26-year-old Bayer anchorman is the captain for the German side and would be able to match Cazorla's skills in the midfield. If Arsenal were looking for another midfield option, they are also linked with Grzegorz Krychowiak from Sevilla. (Getty)
Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Bender, Carvalho, Stones