As part of their youth reconstruction programme, Arsenal are looking to recruit a number of promising young players from other sides, in this case one of the younger players could be seen as a first-team addition.

Both players are promising deep midfielders.

Illarramendi

Real Sociedad’s Asier Illaramendi has made waves in La Liga this season, and is seen as the long-term successor to Xabi Alonso. A deep-lying playmaker and interceptor in that mould, Arsenal are hoping to secure a £10m deal for him.

He’d be the perfect replacement for Mikel Arteta, who is getting on in years and can’t be relied on to be a midfield metronome for too much longer. However, there’s bound to be competition from all over Europe for his signature.

Dhanda

In more futuristic news, Arsenal are also looking at West Brom’s 14 year-old Yan Dhanda, who’s become an internet hit thanks to his abilities at such a young age. Citing Pirlo as his inspiration, he’d be more in the way of a reserves/U18s addition than a first-team prospect.

Still, the attention he’s attracting from various English clubs would make him quite the coup if he could be persuaded to join Arsenal from West Brom’s far-famed academy.

Nothing hugely exciting, but it’s a slow news day.

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