Arsenal Transfer News: Five Players Wenger Will Likely Pursue in January

The transfer deadline came and went with Arsenal failing to add to the additions of Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla earlier in the summer window. Following the departures of influential duo Robin van Persie and Alex Song, there had been a hope around the Emirates that further reinforcements would arrive, particularly when manager Arsene Wenger claimed he was still looking to bring in a "special player."

Before the deadline, though, Wenger confirmed that if signings were not made before the August deadline then they would be sought when the next window opens.

"We are working very, very hard. We have resources available so if it is not happening now it will happen in December," Wenger said, according to Arsenal's website.

"We are active but we do not just want to bring average players in. If we find a special player who can find us a plus we will do it, if not we will not do it."

Arsenal fans then can already begin looking forward to a mid-season boost. Here's a look at five players who could be signed in the January window.

Liam Moore
Arsenal are the latest big-name club to be linked with a move for the highly-rated Leicester City central defender. The 19-year-old has established himself in the Foxes' first team this season after having spent the first half of the last campaign on-loan at Bradford City.

Metro has reported that Arsenal's scouts have joined those from the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham in watching Moore in action in recent weeks. Leicester are said to value the England Under-19 international at around £5 million.

Yann M'Vila
Despite being linked with a move to the Gunners for much of the season, France international M'Vila remains at Rennes. While there was believed to be interest from the Emirates following the end of last season, Rennes' high valuation of the player looks likely to have perturbed Arsenal from making a bid. The 22-year-old's form also dipped over the last campaign, while he went onto endure a disappointing Euro 2012, where his attitude and professionalism off the pitch was also again called into question.

If M'Vila can get his head down and return the level of play that saw him emerge as one of Europe's finest young defensive midfielders two seasons ago then Arsenal could reignite their interest come January.

Etienne Capoue
Yann M'Vila was not the only French defensive midfielder to be linked to Arsenal over the summer. Capoue has impressed for Toulouse earning him a first French cap in the friendly with Uruguay last month and has also been named ahead of M'Vila in the squad for the start of his country's World Cup qualifying campaign.

If Capoue continues his development then Wenger could be tempted to make a January move, especially as the 24-year-old would be available for the Champions League.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa
The central defender captained Montpellier to their first ever Ligue 1 title last season, before earning a call-up to France's provisional squad for Euro 2012. Yanga-Mbiwa has subsequently gone onto win his first cap for France under new coach Didier Deschamps.

The 23-year-old is believed to have been watched by Arsenal, along with Chelsea, already this season. With Montpellier being named in the same Champions League group as the Gunners, some impressive performances against Arsenal will only increase Wenger's interest. With less than a year remaining on his current contract, a cut-price January deal may be on the cards.

Loic Remy
The Marseille forward has long been linked with a move to Arsenal's North-London rivals Tottenham and was also close to joining Chelsea on the final day of the transfer window. Wenger is also thought to be a long-term admirer, though, and a move could make sense in January.

Following the departure of Van Persie, Arsenal could do with another striker to provide more competition for Olivier Giroud. With Theo Walcott still to sign a new contract, the versatile Remy could also provide a real goal-scoring threat on the right of a front three.