Arsenal star could make shock move before transfer deadline as Mikel Arteta identifies replacement

Arsenal could be set to lose another defender before the transfer deadline slams shut on Friday as Mikel Arteta eyes up a replacement.

The Gunners have already seen left-back Kieran Tierney join Spanish side Real Sociedad on loan this summer - a decision which has left fans questioning their manager's thought process.

Tierney's move came just days after it was confirmed that new signing Jurrien Timber suffered a suspected ACL injury which will see him sidelined for a significant proportion of the campaign.

Many supporters put Arsenal's shortcomings in last season's title race down to a lack of squad depth in defence and there are concerns that Tierney's departure could cause a similar problem.

To add to their worries, left-sided centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes has also been rumoured with a move away and there 'remains uncertainty' whether the Brazilian will still be at the club beyond Friday's transfer deadline.

That's according to the Daily Mail, who claim that Arsenal are 'preparing themselves' to sign a new defender if they receive an offer for Gabriel which they cannot refuse.

There has been interest from Saudi Arabia and Real Madrid. However, Arsenal are said to be against selling the player, with Arteta insisting his omission from the starting XI of their opening three Premier League fixtures is purely for tactical reasons.

Indeed, his lack of game time would appear strange considering he has played in 98 of 117 top flight matches since his arrival in 2020.

The report adds that Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has been earmarked as a potential replacement should Gabriel move onto pastures new.

But should he stay in north London, one would expect Gabriel to return to the starting XI when they face Manchester United on Sunday, to allow Thomas Partey to revert to his usual midfield role.

Where that would leave £65 million summer signing Kai Havertz remains to be seen, with the 24-year-old taking plenty of stick for his performance against Fulham on Saturday.