ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: Kalou, Dzagoev, Rodriguez, and Torje on Wenger's Radar?

Though Arsenal have a rather weak Premier League schedule until they face Manchester City on Dec. 17, there still remains a need for the club to upgrade.

With Jack Wilshere sidelined until February, and the constant injuries to centre back Thomas Vermaelen, the Gunners remain in need of some reinforcements. Meanwhile, as well as Robin van Persie has played this season, Arsenal could still use another striker, as Marouane Chamakh has not been much of a contributor, and Chu Young Park has barely been visible.

Some names have recently popped up, as Arsene Wenger looks for an improved showing in Champions League, and a top-four finish in the Premier League.

The most prominent name mentioned is Salomon Kalou of Chelsea. According to Daily Mirror, Wenger has apparently kept the Ivory Coast forward on his radar, and has a price tag of roughly £6 million. It might be a stretch that Arsenal would pursue the 26-year-old as Kalou has had his struggles with the Blues.

The other players that have been discussed are much younger, but not necessarily short on experience. Alan Dzagoev, a Russian attacking midfielder, had been rumoured as a Wenger target in the summer, and based on a Metro report, is still considered a possible addition. The 21-year-old has 94 appearances for CSKA Moscow, and is considered perhaps the best young player in Russia.

Dzagoev has an estimated valuation of £12 million, and could be a long-term solution for replacing Samir Nasri.

According to The Sun, Wenger is mulling a bid for Gabriel Torje. The Romanian winger had signed a five-year deal with Serie A club Udinese in August, and might cost roughly £10 million. Torje isn't likely the Romanian Lionel Messi, but perhaps he is worth taking a risk on.

Daily Mirror have also mentioned that 16-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Jose Rodriguez is on the verge of arriving at Emirates, and Arsenal are bidding with Manchester United and Liverpool for Matt Lecointe, a 16-year-old winger who plays for Plymouth.

There is always a need to find a young star, but Arsenal may need big names if they hope to climb out of the hole they dug in the early portion of the Premier League season. According to Daily Mail, Wenger isn't primed to spend in January, but that can certainly change.

At the moment I would say, spontaneously, 'No.' But, firstly, it depends who is in the market and, secondly, it depends how well we do from now on to December, said Wenger. Because if we have good results and the players develop well, number wise we have a big squad.

The publication inserted a graph in its article outlining some players that the club have shown interest in recently, and who might be on Wenger's list come January.

Here's a look:

Phil Jagielka, Everton £20m

(Arsenal bid £10m)

Gary Cahill, Bolton £17m
(Arsenal bid £8m)

Mario Goetze, B Dortmund £26m
(Arsenal bid £19m)

Yann M'Vila, Rennes £22m
(Arsenal bid £18m)

Ricardo Alvarez, Inter £11m
(Arsenal bid £9m)

Yoann Gourcuff, Lyon £22m
(loan bid rejected)

Santi Cazorla, Malaga £19m
(Delayed too long)

Eden Hazard, Lille £28m
(Lille blocked sale)

Chris Samba, Blackburn £12m
(Scared off by price)

Jose Enrique, Newcastle (now Liverpool) £6m
(Scared off by price)