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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is targeting Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender ahead of Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho, according to reports.
The Gunners are in the midst of a midfield injury crisis, headed by Francis Coquelin, who is out for at least three months with a knee ligament injury.
Wenger today confirmed that he aims to make a new addition in January.
“We are in a position where we want to do something,” Wenger said. “If I find the right quality, I will do something."
Calciomercato.com have reported that Bender is the Gunners' main target for central midfield.
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratingsShow all 12 1 /12Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Petr Cech - 6 out of 10 Cech could thank his defence for a quiet night as, though Dinamo looked to get forward on the counter, they rarely managed to craft a shot to test the Arsenal keeper. Made one fantastic save at 3-0 to prevent a Mathieu Flamini own-goal, diving down low to save his team-mates blushes.
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Hector Bellerin - 6 out of 10 By his own exceptional standards this was an unimpressive display from the Spanish full-back, who gave the ball away as much in the opening minutes as he has in most games this season. He bombed forward as ever but the penetrating crosses weren’t quite there.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Per Mertesacker - 7 out of 10 Mertesacker was a reassuring presence throughout for Arsenal, barking instructions at his colleagues and ensuring he controlled play from deep.
2015 Getty Images
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Laurent Koscielny - 6 out of 10 Had the freedom to step forward in possession, but did not always use that effectively. Koscielny gave the ball away far too often as he looked to push Arsenal forward, but was back to his reliable best in defence as Dinamo looked to get behind Monreal.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Nacho Monreal - 7 out of 10 One of the busiest players on the field, as the dangerous Junior Fernandes looked to find space in behind the Arsenal backline. That Monreal dealt with him impressively whilst still bombing forward to create chances spoke of a very pleasing display from the left-back.
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Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Mathieu Flamini - 5 out of 10 For much of the game Flamini’s brand of kamikaze defensive play was not required as the forwards did what was needed to secure a win. But in the early stages he too often looked a liability, chasing every single ball rather than maintaining his discipline. Against tougher opponents he would have been found wanting.
2014 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Santi Cazorla - 7 out of 10 Did much of his best work for Arsenal on the edge of his own area, finding Ozil and Sanchez in space whenever the opposition committed too many men forward. After a series of indifferent displays either side of the international break tonight saw Cazorla makes strides towards rediscovering his best form.
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Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Joel Campbell - 8 out of 10 One of the few not to shrink under the pressure of the opening 20 minutes, as Campbell brought plenty of flicks and tricks to find a way past a deep-sitting Dinamo, providing a fantastic assist for Sanchez to make it 3-0. With Aaron Ramsey on the bench he needed to make a good impression – and he did. He may just have played himself into contention for the do or die match against his former side.
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Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Mesut Ozil - 8 out of 10 One of the few not to shrink under the pressure of the opening 20 minutes, as Campbell brought plenty of flicks and tricks to find a way past a deep-sitting Dinamo, providing a fantastic assist for Sanchez to make it 3-0. With Aaron Ramsey on the bench he needed to make a good impression – and he did. He may just have played himself into contention for the do or die match against his former side.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Alexis Sanchez - 8 out of 10 Prior to the opening goal this was not Sanchez at his best, with the forward seeming curiously hesitant in front of goal. But when he got going his display was truly exquisite, particularly the cross from which Ozil headed in the opener. Two goals capped an excellent display.
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Oliver Giroud - 5 out of 10 The French forward struggled to find a place in the game as Dinamo dealt smartly with his physical presence. He won plenty of headers but was marked tightly when it mattered and was forced to drop ever deeper in an attempt to influence the game.
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings Aaron Ramsey - 6 out of 10 Wenger will be delighted to have seen the midfielder full of drive and energy after six weeks out, though the game was long since over by the time of his introduction.
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Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta are also out injured, leaving Mathieu Flamini and Santi Cazorla to fill the central berths.
Coquelin sustained his injury during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.
Wenger also confirmed today that Coquelin will not need surgery, but still faces three months out.
"The scans are positive because he does not need any surgery but it will be 12 weeks," Wenger told arsenal.com.
The 26-year-old Bender has won 11 caps for Germany. He was named in the provisional 30-man squad for the 2014 Worlds Cup, but was forced to withdraw before the start of the tournament with a thigh injury.
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