Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger fuels Edinson Cavani rumours after hinting deadline day deal is in the pipeline

Arsenal have looked short on goals so far this season prompting Wenger to admit that he is still active in the transfer market

Arsene Wenger leads training at Arsenal's London Colney training base (Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger has fuelled speculation that Arsenal will launch a late bid to strengthen their squad after scoring just two goals in their opening three pre-season matches.

Arsenal’s only win of the Premier League season so far came in the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, and having drawn blanks against West Ham and Liverpool, pre-season expectations of a title challenge generated by the Community Shield victory over Chelsea has proven off the mark.

Earlier this week, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema ruled out any possibility of joining the Gunners this summer by confirming his future lay at the Santiago Bernabeu, which prompted fresh rumours that the North London club could move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s lunch-time kick-off against Newcastle, Wenger revealed that although no deals are close to being done at this time, a late move from the club is in the pipeline as he described his feeling over a last-minute transfer as “confident”.

"I am always confident that a last-minute situation or solution is available, because the transfer market is especially moving in the last four or five days," said Wenger.

"But at the moment I cannot promise you that. We work very hard, you know I have a team around me who work day and night to find good solutions but at the moment we are not close to signing anyone.

"Finishing qualities come and go and you do not always know why, but certainly at the moment we want it so much at home that we're trying to force it a little bit."

Persistent calls for the club to sign a striker and a defensive midfielder once again came up following the goalless draw with Liverpool, with former striker Thierry Henry urging Wenger to bring in more firepower up front after witnessing Olivier Giroud miss a simple chance in front of goal.

Both Giroud and Theo Walcott have just one goal between them this season, and Henry believes that unless Wenger can add to his strike options, another season of frustration is on the cards at the Emirates this term.