Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger's Anthony Martial Advice, Isco Rumours

Despite failing to do much business of his own this summer, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has tipped Manchester United on how to play record signing Anthony Martial, while the hunt for Real Madrid's Isco heats up.

Wenger professed to having an intimate knowledge of former Monaco attacker Martial, via Metro's Louis Sealey, proclaiming the player is better utilised as a winger and not a central striker:

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We [have] known him since he was a kid, but he’s more of a winger type. He’s an exceptional talent I agree with you but I believe that he plays in positions where we have players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis Sanchez and Joel Campbell who can play in the position.

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Martial became the most expensive teenager in history after signing for the Red Devils in a deadline deal costing £36 million, but add-ons could see the move reach as high as £59 million in future.

All signs would suggest that United manager Louis van Gaal intends to play Martial as a striker following the summer exits of Robin van Persie, Javier Hernandez and Radamel Falcao.

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Arsenal, on the other hand, recently found out that Danny Welbeck will be sidelined for several months. Olivier Giroud remains the club's only recognised senior striker in his absence.

Van Gaal pushed the notion of playing Martial centrally when speaking to the media on Friday ahead of Saturday's clash against Liverpool, according to Bleacher Report's Chris Winterburn:

The 19-year-old scored nine goals in 19 Ligue 1 starts for Monaco last season and made his senior France debut last week in a 1-0 win over Portugal.

Sky Sports sourced Opta statistics when pointing out that Martial was a superior goalscorer than he was a provider during 2014-15, making just three assists compared to his nine strikes:

The Gunners may well wish they signed Martial instead, as wingers Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott now sit as the most likely attacking alternatives should Giroud be hit with any injury setback.

But after the £10 million signing of Petr Cech proved the north Londoners' only major signing of the summer, one can debate as to how ready Arsenal would have been to battle United financially in any hunt for the player.

Gunners to Challenge City for Isco

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Arsenal will revive links with the Bernabeu in their bid to land another Real Madrid playmaker next year, following reports that the Gunners are interested in cutting a deal for midfielder Isco.

Spanish newspaper Sport stated that the capital club will battle against Manchester City for the Spain international's services amid whispers he's grown frustrated with a lack of first-team football, according to the Mirror's Liam Corless.

This summer's purchase of Mateo Kovacic threatens to only limit Isco's Bernabeu influence further after he already fell firmly behind the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the club's pecking order.

Spanish football writer Sergi Dominguez asserted that Los Merengues will be happy to stockpile their young talent for now, however, attesting to what a promising young core of players Real now boasts:

It's been a little more than two years since Arsenal stunned the football community to complete a £42.5 million deal for Mesut Ozil, and there's no word yet as to how much Isco might cost in the event of his departure.

Despite playing the full 90 minutes in just 22 of his 53 appearances last season, Isco remains a beloved figure at the Bernabeu, as noted by Real Madrid TV presenter Rhiannon Jones:

The 23-year-old moved to the Spanish capital in 2013 for a fee of €30 million, but Real are under no pressure to sell, considering that his contract—which runs until 2018—has a €150 million release clause, according to Sport's Alejandro Alcazar.

City would surely be able to rival Arsenal in any financial pursuit should they wish, but the lack of business in 2015 may lead to much bigger recruitment drives at the Emirates Stadium in years to come.