Arsenal are set to battle arch rivals Tottenham for the signature of Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.
A mass exodus of stars leaving St Mary’s this summer saw Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers and Dejan Lovren depart as well as manager Mauricio Pochettino.
However, despite speculation of a £10m offer from Spurs, Schneiderlin remained on the south coast, and helped the Saints enjoy an impressive start to this season.
And results in recent weeks have opened slight cause for concern, with losses to both Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Burnley, and a Capital One Cup exit to Sheffield United of League One.
Tottenham may come back with another offer for Schneiderlin when the transfer window opens in the New Year.
However, the Gunners are in need of reinforcements after a raft of injuries, with a centre-back and a defensive midfielder seen as most important.
Southampton are currently sitting above both North London clubs in the Premier League table, but that will soon change of the winless run continues.
Steve Osborne @SteveOsborne23
