Arsenal Transfer Gossip: 5 Rumours of the Day

The transfer window reopens this Sunday. When it does, Arsenal figure to be busy.

Manager Arsene Wenger and the Gunners have recovered from their poor start to the season, but the squad still needs improvements.

Apart from the in-form Robin van Persie, Arsenal are short on strikers. Defense—the Gunners have conceded 26 goals in 18 matches—is another area Wenger could address.

Who will Wenger buy? We could know as soon as next week. In the meantime, here are five rumours for Wednesday.

Andrei Arshavin Ready To Leave Arsenal?

Is Andrei Arshavin ready to leave Arsenal?

That's what Metro are saying today in this article. Metro say the 30-year-old Russian international has fallen behind Tomas Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun in the Arsenal midfield.

Arshavin reportedly wants to stay at Arsenal ahead of next summer's Euro 2012, but Metro say Zenit St. Petersburg are among the Russian clubs interested in him. Chelsea are also interested, according to Metro.

Arshavin joined Arsenal from Zenit for £15 million in 2009.

Latest on Potential Henry Loan

Last week, Arsene Wenger said he would decide over the following seven days whether or not to sign Thierry Henry on loan. That deadline passes this Saturday.

Henry attended Arsenal's frustrating 1-1 draw against Wolves on Tuesday. After the match, Wenger declined to comment on the potential deal.

So we still don't know whether or not the deal will happen. But we should know soon.

Wenger Listening to Offers

From CaughtOffside, we learn that Arsene Wenger is reportedly ready to listen to offers for three players.

We've already covered Andrei Arshavin. The other two are defender Sebastien Squillaci and forward Marouane Chamakh.

CaughtOffside say Chamakh is drawing interest from PSG and other Ligue 1 clubs. They don't mention a potential destination for Squillaci, though they say he could go out on loan.

Lukas Podolski Latest

You know all about the rumours linking FC Köln forward Lukas Podolski to Arsenal.

Here's the latest news. Yesterday, CaughtOffside passed along a "leaked" photo of Podolski wearing an Arsenal shirt, purportedly at a preseason friendly. We don't know. It looks kinda fake to us.

Today, Köln's director said he's "optimistic" Podolski will sign a contract extension.

It looks like this transfer saga is going to be a crazy one. It will probably go down to the final day, if you ask us.

Vargas and Gourcuff?

FootyBunker is suggesting that Arsenal could sign Fiorentina left-winger Juan Manuel Vargas and Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff (pictured) in January.

Vargas, 28, would cost "little more than a signing on fee." Gourcuff, say FootyBunker, would cost Arsenal "close to £15m."