Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Lars Bender Rumours

The odds have been slashed on Arsenal signing Bayer 04 Leverkusen star Lars Bender this January. Bookies believe Gunners chief Arsene Wenger will move for the German holding midfielder to plug the hole created by Francis Coquelin's lengthy injury.

Bet Victor are offering odds of 6/1 Arsenal will do a deal to bring the 26-year-old to the Emirates Stadium in the new year, according to Vaishali Bhardwaj of the London Evening Standard. She's added Bender to a clutch of tough-tackling midfielders Wenger is reportedly considering to cover Coquelin's absence:

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Along with the 26-year-old, Arsenal are also monitoring Sevilla’s Poland international Grzegorz Krychowiak and Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho, while the club could also consider moves for Lazio’s Lucas Biglia and Nice duo Vincent Koziello and Nampalys Mendy.

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Tough tackles are the thing the Gunners are sure to miss in the middle while Coquelin is healing. The tenacious young Frenchman is set to miss three months due to a knee ligament problem, per BBC Sport's Phil McNulty.

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As the one true ball-winner in Wenger's squad, Coquelin has made himself invaluable to Arsenal's title challenge this season. His knack for winning the ball back and anticipating danger in defensive areas have bailed out the Gunners' back four more than once.

Without Coquelin's physical presence and defensive instincts, Wenger is left scrambling for solutions between now and the winter transfer window.

At the moment, that means looking for internal solutions. Metro's Will Giles suggests young Polish prospect Krystian Bielik is being considered, as the 17-year-old trains with the first-team squad.

But there are those who believe Wenger must identify and purchase a more proven and marquee Coquelin replacement. Among them is ex-Arsenal player and current Sky Sports pundit, Paul Merson.

Writing for the Daily Star, Merson has called on Wenger to spend money on the necessary quality at the position or else suffer the consequences: "Arsene Wenger has to buy a proper, top-class defensive midfielder in January now or they can kiss the title goodbye."

Bender certainly qualifies as a "top-class" player at his position. He's got the combative temperament to be the ball-winner Arsenal need, with an engine to apply pressure all over the pitch.

Just as important, Bender possesses the tactical awareness to sense danger and cover space the way Coquelin has.

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Those qualities help explain why he's been on the Gunners' wish list for so long. Back in September 2013, Leverkusen reportedly rebuffed a £19.7 million bid, according to German publication Express.DE (h/t Majid Mohamed of the Independent).

But Wenger must see if he can still tempt the Bundesliga club by submitting a renewed bid more than two years on. Bender plays with the graft, toughness and defensive nous so many of Arsenal's technical midfield maestros lack.

Coquelin's loss is a big one. He has provided the balance playmakers like Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil need, giving the pair a platform that allows them to focus on creating chances.

To ensure his top creators keep enjoying that freedom, as well as guaranteeing his defence is supplemented by a vital extra layer of protection, Wenger must make a serious financial commitment to landing Bender.