Mikel Arteta moves closer to dream Arsenal starting XI as Gunners near first January transfer

With just four days remaining of the January transfer window, time is running out for Arsenal to bolster their Champions League hopes with new signings.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Pablo Mari, Folarin Balogun and Karl Hein have all left the club on loan while Sead Kolasinac terminated his contract to facilitate a move to Marseille but in terms of incomings it has been painfully quiet in North London.

Edu has missed out securing a move for top centre forward target Dusan Vlahovic, with the Serbian now set to join Juventus, while midfielder Bruno Guimaraes appears to be on his way to Newcastle.

This does not mean however, that the Gunners will not look to bring anyone in before the window slams shut on January 31.

Reports have suggested that after missing out on Guimaraes, Arsenal have turned their attentions to his compatriot Douglas Luiz.

The 23-year-old worked with Mikel Arteta during the Spaniard's time at Manchester City and has impressed this season in a deeper midfield position at Aston Villa.

However, it is the role the Brazilian played during the early part of Steven Gerrard 's reign as Aston Villa manager that may be of particular interest to Arteta.

After taking over at Villa Park, Gerrard immediately set about fielding his side in different variations of a 4-3-3 formation.

Initially there was no place in that set up for Luiz, but after replacing Jacob Ramsey as a substitute during the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, the 23-year-old was then then given a chance from the start in the Villains next fixture against Manchester City.

Instead of being deployed in his usual sitting role though, Gerrard opted to use Luiz in a more advanced position in order to press Pep Guardiola's side and exert more control on