Arsenal Transfer News: Joseph Yobo and Latest Shock Names Eyed by Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger is expected to scour the free-agent market in an attempt to bolster his Arsenal squad's dwindling defensive numbers.

The French boss was forced to deploy inexperienced right-back Hector Bellerin during the Gunners' 2-0 Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund, with just three senior defenders currently fit, as reported by Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.

Wenger is reportedly eyeing up instant cover for experienced centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, per Mokbel: "Scouts have been asked to examine short-term options Diego Lugano and Joseph Yobo, who are both available and have been discussed at the club's London Colney HQ."

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These players could be useful as alternative options in the north London side's current situation. Mathieu Debuchy has confirmed he may need surgery after "breaking" a ligament in his left ankle against Manchester City, as reported by Luke Augustus of the Mail Online.

Calum Chambers' express route into the starting line-up will likely see him hold down the right-back position until the Frenchman recovers, although Wenger's use of Bellerin indicates the two youngsters may be rotated. Chambers has performed admirably since joining Arsenal from Southampton in the summer, but there's no doubt extra cover is needed as the squad's busy schedule begins to gather momentum.

Former Gunners player Lassana Diarra is also being touted for a return, as reported by Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express. Diarra managed just five months at the Emirates during his initial spell between 2007-08, but he also has Premier League experience with Chelsea and Portsmouth. He can offer Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini cover in defensive midfield and is capable of filling in as a full-back, if needed.

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Further potential signings are outed by Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express, who believes Andrea Dossena, Abdoulaye Faye, George McCartney, Oguchi Onyewu and Anthony Reveillere are being considered. None would be particularly exciting signings for a manager who is surely counting the cost of letting Thomas Vermaelen join Barcelona in the summer.

The former Gunners captain's versatility would have come in useful during the current situation. Wenger may be forced into deploying Nacho Monreal as an unorthodox centre-back if anything happens to his first-choice partnership, an arrangement that wouldn't adhere to the player's main strengths.

Despite strengthening Arsenal's attacking options with the captures of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck during the summer, Wenger's transfer shortcomings are making themselves apparent rather quickly this campaign. He certainly had enough time to ensure the squad wasn't susceptible when losing players to injury, per Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World:

Wenger's need for additional defensive numbers, and indeed a powerful midfielder, was apparent long before the window closed. Instead of addressing obvious weaknesses in the squad, the boss has pushed himself into a similar situation that saw him sign Kim Kallstrom on loan last January.

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Players such as Yobo and Lugano are powerful in the air and offer a commanding presence, but their quality is rapidly dipping with age. Lugano struggled massively during his only Premier League season with West Brom and caught the eye with a handful of key mistakes throughout his nine-month spell at the Hawthorns, which ended in May. He, like Yobo, would make up the numbers if little else.

Arsenal face a tough run of fixtures against Aston Villa, Tottenham, Galatasaray and Chelsea across the next two weeks. Wenger simply cannot afford to lose any more defensive players to injury, meaning he may be forced into taking the unglamorous step of luring a free agent.

This approach might not be pretty, but it could buy Wenger extra time to uncover long-term additions heading into the January transfer window.