ARSENAL TRANSFER RUMOURS: Jagielka, Samba, Hazard, Mata, and Chamberlain

Questions continue to mount for Arsenal with the start of the Premier League season less than two weeks away.

Has the club finished shopping for a forward after acquiring Gervinho? Will Arsenal put everyone involved out of their misery, and send Manuel Almunia packing?

Are Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas firmly entrenched at Emirates going into the upcoming season?

What central defender will be playing next to Thomas Vermaelen? Where is the veteran left back replacement for Gael Clichy and to relieve injury-prone Kieran Gibbs?

Manager Arsene Wenger appears to be tinkering with the additions and subtractions of the club, and hasn't been inclined to make major changes.

Meanwhile, Arsenal is back to having injury problems. Jack Wilshere has an inflamed ankle, and might be out for more than a week. Inconsistent midfielder Abou Diaby could be sidelined until September with an ankle injury.

Fabregas continues to be nagged by his hamstring, and Wenger is worried about his star midfielder's focus after all of the chatter about a move to Barcelona. The Catalans and Arsenal are roughly £15 million off in the potential deal.

There are plenty of impatient Arsenal and Barcelona fans who want the saga to end with a firm decision. It has been particularly difficult for Gunner fans after the club came off a disappointing 2010-2011, and with Nasri's situation remaining unclear.

Whether Nasri or Fabregas leave or not, new additions are probably on the way soon. Reports of central defender Phil Jagielka of Everton and winger Juan Mata of Valencia being added seem plausible.

According to ESPN, Arsenal's bid for Mata was rejected. Juan Manuel Mata Rodriguez, the player's father and agent, said that there have been several offers for Mata, and believes that Arsenal will return with another offer. Inter Milan might also be interested in the winger.

Arsenal would probably be wise to add Mata as soon as possible as an insurance policy against Nasri demanding a move to Manchester. Should Wenger fail in adding Mata, the obvious target would be Eden Hazard.

The Web site Caught Offside reported last month that Arsenal would make big-money offers to both the Lille playmaker and Mata. Talks have stalled a bit with Hazard, a dangerous attacking player who might be on the verge of stardom, but talks would likely restart now that the Mata bid was rejected.

Wolves' winger Matt Jarvis and burgeoning young midfielder James McCarthy of Wigan are two more names that have been involved in talks with Arsenal. Daily Mirror added that London-rival Chelsea are also interested in McCarthy.

According to Metro, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood is interested in adding "a few" new players. Reportedly high on the list are Jagielka, Mata, and Blackburn defender Christopher Samba.

Wenger has been very clear that he wants to bring in a central defender all summer. Gary Cahill and Scott Dann are still possibilities, but Jagielka seems to be the preferred target.

The much-rumoured transfer of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton has also failed to materialize. The last word about his status came last month from Daily Mirror which said that Southampton want £12 million or more.

As for out-of-favour Nicklas Bendtner, numerous clubs inside and outside the EPL have shown interest in the striker, but there has been no recent news of a deal.