Arsenal Transfer Rumors: 5 Players to Make Them Premier League Contenders

Arsenal are undoubtedly a very strong side with a lot of potential.

However, seven points behind league leaders Chelsea and in seventh place, Arsene Wenger would obviously like to be in a stronger position as we head deeper into October.

Wenger certainly has a strong squad, but it is not without its weaknesses. Few would argue the Gunners' squad is not without defects and there is certainly more than one area that can be reinforced during the next transfer window.

Here are a few players who could help take Arsenal to the next level, even if they probably won't arrive in January.

Radamel Falcao

I will admit that Radamel Falcao has as good a chance of coming to Arsenal as a man landing on Mars tomorrow, but, for what it's worth, this has been in the rumor mill for a while (via The Mirror).

Those acquainted with the Portuguese Primeira Liga knew before Falcao moved to Atletico Madrid that the Colombian is a tremendously gifted striker, but he has really burst onto the world stage while in Madrid.

Just look at his breathtaking performance against Chelsea in the UEFA Supercup earlier this season. Falcao was an unmarkable beast, displaying outstanding positional sense, movement and a lethal finishing touch.

With, or in place of, Olivier Giroud, Falcao would give Arsenal's attack a dynamic element that few teams could deal with.

Fernando Llorente

In all likelihood, Fernando Llorente will not be on his way to Arsenal in January, but he might well come in a future transfer window.

He would add valuable depth up front and he would provide the sort of element that only Olivier Giroud can at the moment. When the Frenchman does not start, as against Manchester City, there is little physical presence at striker, unless you think Gervinho counts as a battering ram.

Few doubt, with that hunky physique, Llorente would not be able to quickly adapt to England and the Stoke Cities of the Premier League. Much like Olivier Giroud, Llorente adds a different element to the team.

Isco

Perhaps if Arsenal could steal Santi Cazorla from Malaga, Isco would be available on the cheap as well.

The Spanish Olympian formed a tremendously effective midfield partnership with Cazorla last season and the telepathic relationship between the two little creators played a large part in getting Malaga into the Champions League this season.

Take one look at Arsenal's midfield this season and you will immediately see two-thirds of the group is Spanish. With the golden generation of players coming through the Iberian Peninsula at the moment, it's not surprising Arsene Wenger favors Spaniards.

Isco presents another opportunity to hop on the gravy train—so why not take advantage—especially when the selling club is not in the best financial shape.

Thierry Henry

Hey, a man can dream, can't he? Many assumed that Henry's appearance against AC Milan last season would be his last for Arsenal, but I still hold out hope that the king will return for one more go-round.

This year, though, the chance of it happening is considerably less than last. Arsenal simply have more options up front with Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski, Gervinho and maybe even Theo Walcott able to lead the line.

But who knows what might happen? We know that Wenger has a soft spot for the best player in Arsenal's history and the positive influence that Henry has around the training ground cannot be underestimated.

Jack Wilshere

Hey, don't yell at me, he's like a new signing!

Seriously though, when Jack Wilshere returns to Arsenal in a couple weeks, he won't initially be the player that we all remember from two seasons ago. The technical skill, stamina, box-to-box runs and passing vision won't return for some time.

By the end of January, though, Wilshere should mostly be back to where he was, and that is a tremendous boon to Arsenal. As we've seen, the midfield is extremely strong already, but adding a player of the Englishman's quality and dynamism to any side would dramatically improve its midfield options.

Getting Wilshere back is really a better pickup than anyone coming in from outside the club, and when he makes his long-awaited return, I will not be aggravated to hear Arsene Wenger describe him as a virtual new signing.

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