Arsenal Transfer News: Adrien Rabiot Wants Move, Latest January Rumours

Arsenal target Adrien Rabiot has said he wants a loan move away from Paris Saint-Germain, making him a possible stopgap signing for the Gunners after the club's recent injury crisis.

The midfielder told Telefoot (h/t Robin Bairner of Goal) he is desperate to attain first-team experience, and is willing to temporarily move to fulfil his short-term ambition, opening the door for the north London giants:

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I’ve asked the president for a loan move in January if my time on the field is insufficient. It’s something that he can’t refuse me – I know he likes me very much.

When you train all week, you want to be on the field. Sometimes it’s not possible and it’s frustrating.

Paris is my city. It’s great to play here. If I could impose myself here, it would be brilliant. I would be ready to play my whole career at PSG if I was a starter. I would see things differently, that’s for sure.

"

Manager Arsene Wenger has seen his options consistently shrink this season, losing a number of key players to injury on a regular basis. 

As reported by the Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson, Arsenal have lost Santi Cazorla for three months, joining Francis Coquelin and Alexis Sanchez on the treatment table. A loan deal for Rabiot could be appealing for Wenger as he looks to shuffle the pack, and keep his team invigorated.

French newspaper L'Equipe (h/t the Daily Star's Colin Harvey) previously said PSG were ready to sell the 20-year-old, and Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur would compete for Rabiot as potential rival suitors. 

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Rabiot has been at PSG since the age of 15, and he has been considered one of Ligue 1's great young talents in central midfield.

The France under-21 international would suit Wenger's style of play at the Emirates Stadium, and help plug the gaps that are appearing in Arsenal's starting XI.

The loss of Cazorla and Coquelin—the Gunners' primary central figures—severely weakens the team's charge for honours, and Rabiot would bring defensive qualities with him from Paris. He has started eight games in Ligue 1 this term, according to WhoScored.com.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

However, Wenger has a number of options, if he wishes to spend in January.

Rob Draper of the MailOnline said Wenger "recognises that an addition needs to be made in January and may be forced to compromise in signing a midfielder not among his top choices, as the need to bolster the squad looks pressing."

Draper added Arsenal have made enquiries about Bayer Leverkusen midfielders Christoph Kramer and Lars Bender, but he will not consider moves for Ilkay Gundogan or William Carvalho, with the latter being considered too expensive at £33 million—his current buyout clause. 

Football fans across the world know Arsenal for their slick passing style, which is pleasing on the eye, but time and again their problem has been stopping the opposition through midfield. 

Wenger should have addressed this issue in the summer transfer market, but he is now being forced to consider new options in the winter months due to injuries. 

The manager should have been more proactive in his thinking, and bolstered his squad accordingly. Without additions in January, the major trophies will once again be out of the Gunners' reach.