Arsenal Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez Exit Fears Emerge, Dani Alves Targeted

Arsenal risk losing Alexis Sanchez to "a club which can offer him success," according to John Cross of the Mirror.

The Gunners' 2-1 defeat to Swansea compounded misery after Arsene Wenger's side threw away a 3-0 goal lead to draw with Anderlecht during the recent Champions League clash.

Chilean newspaper La Tercera previously claimed Sanchez is "unhappy" at the club (h/t Charles Perrin of the Express), with Cross now adding to exit rumours by suggesting Arsenal cannot match the ambition of their summer signing.

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"Alexis Sanchez has been great but if he carries on like this then a club which can offer him success will come in for him," notes the Mirror writer.

Sanchez has been in tremendous form of late, scoring eight and assisting two in his last eight fixtures, per WhoScored.com. He has netted 10 across the Premier League and Champions League this campaign, contributing in a telling manner to 53 percent of Arsenal's goals in the domestic division. 

Wenger's team already appear incapable of sustaining their title challenge and are currently 12 points behind leaders Chelsea. Sanchez's talent is such that, if Arsenal fail to secure silverware during his first season, other elite teams are likely to begin circling.

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He has proven himself a game-changer at Udinese, Barcelona and Arsenal, indicating no shortage of suitors would line up if he showed a smidgen of discontent with life in north London.

Cross believes Wenger is "solely to blame" for the side's poor form and suggests the manager missed an important opportunity to strengthen his defence and midfield in the summer. Injuries have stretched the squad, adding to speculation the French boss will improve his side during the January transfer window.

Dani Alves is rumoured to be a target for the club, reported by the Sunday Times (h/t Jonathan Green of the Daily Star).

The Brazilian wouldn't solve Arsenal's defensive problems, though, and is best known for bursting from the right-back position to support Barcelona's attack. His lack of defensive discipline is often criticised, but his arrival would allow Calum Chambers to move centrally in Mathieu Debuchy's absence.

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Midfield reinforcements should also take priority. Wenger's side have lacked a combative midfield destroyer for years, highlighted by the lightweight partnership of Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.

Benfica's Anderson Talisca—a powerful, attack-minded midfield specimen—is among the latest crop to be linked with a move, per Paul Brown of the Daily Star. The 20-year-old has rocketed onto the radars of Europe's best after scoring eight goals in 10 Liga Sagres matches, per WhoScored, underlining his versatility as a either a midfield or forward unit.

Paris Saint-Germain's Yohan Cabaye, a target for Arsenal before he departed Newcastle, per The Guardian's Dominic Fifield, could also fill the void. The Gunners are said to echo Manchester United and Liverpool's interest in the player, reported by James Dickenson of the Express. Football writer Andrew Gibney, in his B/R UK column, accuses Cabaye of "trying too hard to make an impact," which could see the player depart.

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Arsenal would be wise to exercise this option if he becomes available. While fears over losing Sanchez should be played down right now, Wenger must find solutions to consistent problems within the squad. If he fails to do so in January, claims Sanchez could move on will only become louder.