Arsenal Transfers: Top 10 January Rumors

Transfer rumours can make for fascinating reading at times and when it comes to Arsenal there is no shortage of interesting rumours.

Every team has its period where star players are linked to both leave the club or join the club depending on results, team news or just because.

Arsenal always gets linked to a variety of players at different levels of the game and while some of them excite the fans others bemuse them.

Here are the top 10 January rumours involving Arsenal.

Wilfried Zaha: In

Wilfried Zaha has been linked to a lot of England's top clubs in the recent past and according to the Daily Mail Arsenal has now joined the race.

The Crystal Palace man has already played over 100 games for Crystal Palace has continued to impress each season with the club.

Zaha could end up being a replacement for Theo Walcott if he departs but he couldn't be expected to help improve the clubs bid for silverware.

Still, Zaha is a talent Arsenal would do well to capture and he would add to to the ever-growing list of talented young English players in the Arsenal squad.

Lewis Holtby: In

ESPN Soccernet reports that Lewis Holtby has attracted interest from Arsenal and Liverpool as doubts remain over his contract situation. 

Both sides have had problems in the attacking third so far this season and Holtby is a player who could help revitalize their respective sides.

The current Schalke player can be utilized in a number of positions for either side and would a creative influence who can add few goals as well.

Andre Schurrle: In

Considering their acquisition of two established German international's in recent summer windows it's probably no surprise that Arsenal has been linked with even more German talent.

Lewis Holtby is one such player on the Gunners radar and, according to the Daily Mail, so is Andre Schurrle.

The Bayer Leverkusen attacker can be an efficient finisher and dribbler. His solid work-rate would also be a helpful addition to the Arsenal attack.

With all his attributes Schurrle would be a good replacement for Theo Walcott if he were to depart.

Adrian Lopez: In

Goal.com reported back in October that Arsenal was planning to bring in more Spanish talent with Atletico Madrid's Adrian Lopez being the transfer target in question.

In 2011-12 Lopez played a significant role in Atletico Madrid's title-winning Europa League campaign and had his best season in front of goal.

The Spanish youngster would have no problem fitting into Arsenal's style of play but isn't necessarily better than any of the current options. His current form, one goal in 14 games, isn't too enticing at the moment though.

Hatem Ben Arfa: In

Hatem Ben Arfa is another attacking player who has been linked to the club thanks to Theo Walcott's situation (via DailyStar).

Ben Arfa isn't a goalscorer like some of the other players mentioned in an attacking sense but would provide the squad with a player who is proficient dribbler who has the ability to make chances for his teammates.

Whether or not Newcastle would let one of their prized assets go is another matter, especially with Europe, preferably the Champions League, the goal for their season.

Theo Walcott: Out

Theo Walcott's contract situation at Arsenal has led to much speculation about his future.

At the very end of the transfer window Walcott reportedly rejected a contract from Arsenal and attracted interest from Manchester City and Liverpool in the process (via the Telegraph).

According to the Daily Mail, Juventus stands as the lone foreign club interested in the English attacker and probably the best bet for him.

The BBC reports that the situation could be resolved by Christmas and Arsenal's form at the time, Walcott's playing position and the interest from suitors could all play a role in how it ends.

Andrei Arshavin: Out

Andrei Arshavin continues to be linked to a move away from Arsenal but this time it seems he could stay in England as Sky Sports reports that Reading is interested in the Russian attacker.

Arshavin has been vilified for a perceived lack of production despite having notched up double digits in either goals or assists in every one of his seasons minus his half seasons in both 2008-09 and 2011-12.

Reading would not be the only possible destination for Arshavin however as his former club Zenit St. Petersburg has been linked to him in the past (via ESPN Soccernet).

Andre Santos: Out

This rumour may be actually make some Arsenal fans happy. According to Goal.com, Santos could be on the way back to Turkey.

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Galatasaray chief executive Lutfi Aribogan has disclosed an interest in signing Arsenal left-back Andre Santos.

"Andre Santos is one of the names [we have] on our list," Aribogan told the Turkish sports newspaper Fanatik.

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Santos' recent performances at left back have really highlighted Arsenal weakness at left back and if the club can let him go in January while getting a better player in return fans will certainly be happy.

Yoann Gourcuff: In

Yoann Gourcuff seemed to have reach his playing heights while at Boordeaux, but the current Lyon midfielder could roll back the years with a change of scenery.

The Metro has linked the French playmaker to Arsenal and he has been a target for the club in the past.

While Gourcuff can no longer command a starting spot right away he could prove to be a significant player if he joined.

Should he play his best it would allow Arsene Wenger to shift his personnel around and put forth a really solid attack with Gourcuff behind the forward and Santi Cazorla playing out wide, whether left or right, in a position he is quite familiar with. 

Max Clayton: In

We started with a talented youngster in this rumour list and we'll end with one.

According to the Metro, the Gunners are going to battle it out with Manchester United for the highly rated youngster Max Clayton.

Here's more from the Metro:

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"The 18-year-old frontman is the latest starlet to roll off the prestigious Crewe production line, making almost 50 appearances so far following his first-team debut in April 2010.

 Clayton was watched in games against Portsmouth and then Walsall earlier this month, and Wenger was handed promising reports on the striker, who has been compared to ex-England star Michael Owen."

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Statistically Clayton is improving as he has already equaled his 2011-12 goals total with four goals so far this season (via Crewe Alexandra Website).