The Gunners have been reported to be keeping tabs on Isco Alarcon, who looks all but set to leave the Bernabeu this summer and fresh reports from Spain claim that Arsenal could land the unsettled attacking midfielder for £32.5million.

The Spanish international put pen to a deal with the Spanish outfit only a couple of seasons ago and now finds himself at the periphery of plans at Real Madrid given the rise in prominence of their new recruit in James Rodriguez.

It was reported earlier this week that Arsene Wenger had cooled his interest in Morgan Schneiderlin given the meteoric rise of Francis Coquelin, but the Frenchman seems unwilling make him an automatic starter as he looks to bring down William Carvalho to offer healthy competition for his compatriot.

The Portuguese international was widely linked with Arsenal last summer as rumours suggested that the deal collapsed when it looked all but set to come to fruition.

Arsenal play host to champions-elect Chelsea this weekend in a decisive fixture that has mammoth potential to keep the Gunners in contention for the Premier League title and it now seems that Arsene Wenger may have to name his team without his captain and vice-captain.

The Frenchman stated that he would have everyone but Per Mertesacker at his disposal against the Blues and added that his January recruit Gabriel Paulista would most likely start alongside Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the defense at Emirates Stadium this weekend.

Prominence of Isco has grown in leaps and bounds at Santiago Bernabeu this season, but that is never going to let him enjoy the comfort that the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo get as it was reported earlier today that Carlo Ancelotti would listen to offers for the Spanish international.

Real Madrid piped the Gunners for the signature of the attacking midfielder in 2013 and Arsene Wenger never seemed to have cooled his interest in him as he was reported to have lined up a summer move last week.

Arsenal play host to Chelsea this weekend in a fixture that could either prolong the title race or gift the visitors their fifth Premier League title in their history. Arsene Wenger, having all but confirmed his presence in the Champions League dugout next campaign, now seems to have an eye on edging local rivals Chelsea to the title.

Speaking to the press ahead of the London derby, the French manager stated that the Gunners have managed to prove their doubters wrong by thrashing Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United in some fashion and now wants his players to concentrate on continuing their fine form by registering a victory over Chelsea, who currently have a ten-point advantage over them.