Arsenal Transfer News: Thomas Muller Enquiries Revealed, Latest Gunners Rumours

Arsenal made "discreet inquires" about the availability of Thomas Muller in the summer, but their interest was quickly knocked back by Bayern Munich, as Manchester United chased the striker. 

Rob Draper of the Daily Mail revealed the Gunners' interest in his article after interviewing the World Cup winner, with Muller set to appear at the Emirates on Tuesday as the Bavarian club take on Arsenal in the Champions League. 

It was well documented in the summer Arsenal were considering strengthening their attack with a world-class striker, but manager Arsene Wenger recently explained why he chose not to spend significant funds on the position, opting to stick with the dynamic talents of Theo Walcott, per Mark Bryans of the Independent:

"

I believe he [Walcott] can be a central striker. But at the start of the season, I faced questions from everybody: 'why don't you buy a central striker?' So sometimes you have to have strong beliefs and show the players as well that you believe in them in that position.

I always said that he will play through the middle and he got his knee injury when he played well through the middle against Tottenham. It took him a while to come back, I must say.

But now in the last two games, the last few games, he looks always dangerous in this position. The quality of his movement is outstanding and he has found his finishing again. Now against Man United he has also found his commitment back.

"

Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press

Walcott's long recovery from injury hamstrung Wenger's long-term options, but a player of Muller's talents was not needed once the England international found his rhythm once again.

Journalist and Arsenal supporter Piers Morgan gave his backing to the manager's recent selection plan, revealing his happiness at Walcott's role in the starting XI:

Bleacher Report's Arsenal writer James McNicholas also believes Wenger has chosen wisely to retain his forward line, saying the Gunners could move to a 4-4-2 if the Frenchman focuses on finding a midfielder with the much-needed qualities: 

There isn't a top team in Europe that wouldn't want Muller in their squad, but the cost of acquiring such a player would blow the transfer budget of a team such as Arsenal, despite their considerable Premier League wealth. 

Olivier Giroud has proved he can score from the bench, and with the goals and pace of Walcott and Alexis Sanchez, Wenger is in a good place when it comes to options for his attacking tactics. 

Ospina Future in Doubt

Arsenal reserve No. 1 David Ospina is waiting to see if he is selected for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, with the goalkeeper said to have an agreement with Wenger to play in cup competitions after the capture of Petr Cech. 

Steve Stammers of the Mirror says the Colombian talent was "alarmed" when Cech signed from Chelsea after displacing Wojciech Szczesny from the first team last year. 

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

However, Arsenal sit bottom of Group F after two shock defeats, per BBC Sport, forcing Wenger to decide whether or not Ospina should be in the Gunners' net with an embarrassing European exit staring them in the face. 

Stammers says the player's potential dropping will leave Ospina "questioning his future," consigning him to much-reduced game time during the campaign. 

In other news, Chelsea will battle Arsenal for wonderkid Nishan Burkart of FC Zurich, with the teenager turning 16 in January—just in time for the transfer window to open.

The Sun (h/t Alex Wood of the Daily Star) believe the two London giants will fight over the player, who displays similar attributes to Walcott, playing across the attack. 

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

As the Christmas period rushes closer, Arsenal appear justified in not moving for a player of Muller's calibre, concentrating on other areas of the squad by bringing in an experienced goalkeeper and showing faith in the returning Walcott. 

Ospina might be disappointed to find himself back on the bench after successfully ousting Szczesny, but he simply isn't in the class bracket of the Czech international, with Wenger crying out for a stopper who knows how to win the league. 

The Colombian may decide his future lies elsewhere as a result, but he does not have the consistency or attributes to feature in Europe's elite competition, especially when Arsenal are losing matches.