Arsenal told to complete swap deal with title challenger for "world-class" player

Arsenal have been told they should complete a swap deal with a title rival to lure a “world-class” Premier League midfielder to the club.

The Gunners sit fourth in the table after a bruising 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage added to a home loss to West Ham on Thursday.

In losing back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season, Arsenal have missed two opportunities to return to the Premier League summit.

Five games ago, Arsenal had been six points clear of reigning champions Manchester City. They are now level on points, having played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s side.

And former Gunner Kieran Gibbs has suggested that his old side consider a swap deal for Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz to help stop the rot.

The Brazilian midfielder has shone for Unai Emery's side this season, netting six Premier League goals to help his side claim second spot in the league at the turn of the year.

His performances for Villa have led to his team mate John McGinn describing him as “world-class”, and a spate of reports claiming that Mikel Arteta's side could reignite their interest in the player.

“It’s probably the best idea to go and get someone like Douglas Luiz," Gibbs told ESPN. "You can swap players, there are deals to be done there for sure.

"There’s Emile Smith Rowe, there’s Eddie [Nketiah], there’s deals to be done there in this window.

“If I was to do anything I’d probably shore up the midfield and hope that in the second half of the season Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard come alive.”

Villa, who are making a charge of their own for the title, are under no pressure to sell given Luiz still has two years remaining on his current deal.

Arsenal are currently enjoying a break from league action.

Though they face Liverpool in the FA Cup next Sunday, their next league engagement is not until January 20 when Crystal Palace visit the Emirates.