Arsenal Transfer News: Who is the 'Special Player' Arsene Wenger is Searching for Before the Transfer Deadline?

With less than 24 hours to go before the transfer deadline, Arsenal fans face an anxious wait to see if the club will add to the purchases of Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla. Those signings looked to be a statement of intent by manager Arsene Wenger, but the subsequent departures of Robin van Persie and Alex Song means that questions are once again being asked about Arsenal's ambition to truly challenge for the Premier League and Champions League.

While Wenger has claimed he is happy with the players at his disposal, he has also intriguingly suggested that he is looking for a potential game-changer.

"We have enough [players], that is for sure, but you always want to improve your squad and if we find a top, top, top player we will do it," he said, according to the Arsenal website.

"We are working very, very hard. We have resources available so if it is not happening now it will happen in December.

"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."

Following Song's exit to Barcelona, Wenger has suggested that he will consider a move for a purely defensive midfielder. For all Song's prowess going forward last season, he often failed to be a consistent presence in front of the back four.

The Gunners have been linked with several players who could fulfill that requirement. Yann M'Vila has been reported as a target for much of the summer and losing Song is said to have reignited Arsenal's interest.

Rennes are prepared to sell the France international, although their reported asking price of around £15 million could well be deterring Arsenal's interest. Earlier this week the French club claimed that no bid had been made, with the chances of him staying with Rennes increasing.

According to a recent report in the Daily Mail, fellow French midfielder Etienne Capoue also remains a target. The Toulouse star made his debut for France earlier this month, but may be a slightly cheaper alternative to M'Vila.

Arsenal had also been linked to Newcastle's Cheick Tiote of late, but Wenger has since ruled out making a move for the tenacious Ivorian. In a surprising move, Wenger has also inquired about Chelsea's injury-ravaged midfielder Michael Essien, according to the Daily Telegraph. It is an approach that is likely to be dismissed, however, claims the report.

While defensive midfield could well be the priority, Wenger has also commented that he would consider a move to strengthen his defense.

The most likely option for the Gunners appears to be Montpellier captain Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. The 23-year-old has also recently earned his first cap for France after a campaign in which he led his club to their first Ligue 1 title.

Having been linked with Yanga-Mbiwa since the end of last season, Metro reported that Arsenal scouts watched the central defender in action against Marseille last weekend. An extra bonus is that Yanga-Mbiwa can also play at right-back, where he could well provide cover for long-term injury victim Bacary Sagna.

An unlikely target also emerged in recent days with the Times linking Arsenal with a move for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko. Although the Bosnian is thought to be available should City bring in a replacement, it is difficult to see the Gunners coming up with a financial package necessary to bring him to the Emirates.

One possibility could be a swap deal with contract-rebel Theo Walcott moving in the other direction, although Wenger insists that the England winger is remaining at the club.

After failing to score in their opening two Premier League games of the season, Wenger may well be looking to bring another striker in to help compensate for the loss of Van Persie.

While Arsenal may possibly have a better all-round squad than last season, there is sure to be disappointment engulfing the Emirates should Wenger fail to splash some of the cash at his disposal before September arrives.