Arsene Wenger has lately picked up a habit of signing proven world-class talents and that in turn has made life difficult for underachieving and mediocre players.

According to Eurosport, Mathieu Flamini is set to follow in the footsteps of Lukas Podolski out of the Emirates Stadium to Bastia this summer.

Mikel Arteta has reportedly signed an extension to his contract that will keep him in the English capital for one more season and the Spaniard is expected to play the role of honorary captain while Francis Coquelin starts for the Gunners week in and week out.

In the unlikely event of these two ironmen getting injured, Jack Wilshere, who thrives excellently in a deeper role for England national team, can be deployed as a holding midfielder signaling the redundancy of the role of the former AC Milan midfielder.

Bastia have registered their interest in signing the Frenchman, but they are not financially strong to pay any transfer fee.

They may, thus, be expected to request Arsenal to release him. Even though the London side may be tempted to offload, the deal seems unlikely as the Stade Armand Cesari now need to face a battle to retain their position in the top tier.

Arsenal may still not land a holding midfielder this summer even if they succeed in getting rid of Mathieu Flamini for they can then offer first team minutes to Krystian Bielik.

The FA Cup holders realistically are in no haste to bring down William Carvalho or Morgan Schneiderlin, but given the resources that are endowed with, a defensive midfielder transfer will not come as a surprise.