Arsenal news: Matheus Cunha sends message as Raheem Sterling makes loan decision

Arsenal will finally be able to strengthen their squad in just a few days time as Mikel Arteta eagerly awaits the January transfer window.

The Gunners have had a solid season so far but could still do with a handful of new recruits to help them close the gap on league leaders Liverpool.

There are a few areas where Arsenal could do with more quality - especially up front given their lack of a recognised No 9 - while some more defensive depth could go a long way too after injuries to Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Here, Mirror Football goes through the biggest Arsenal transfer rumours and stories ahead of the window opening.

Sterling loan stance

It's fair to say Raheem Sterling's loan move to Arsenal has not been a very successful one. He was brought in on loan to add more firepower, experience and give Arteta another quality option on the wing.

But he's only played 146 minutes in the Premier League, with just two starts being given to him. Most of his game time has come in the League Cup, where he's score one and assisted one - and he won't be happy with his current situation. However, despite his lack at the Emirates it's claimed the 30-year-old has no intention of cutting his loan move short.

The Athletic have reported that Sterling will not be returning to Chelsea next month. The prospect of heading back to Stamford Bridge has been "ruled out" with the player focused on "making an impact" in the latter part of the campaign. Arteta has confirmed the former Manchester City and Liverpool star has not been left out due to "tactical reasons" and is upbeat about his chances for the rest of the season.

Cunha sends Arsenal message

Matheus Cunha is one of the most in-form players in the Premier League right now and his eye-catching displays have seen him being linked with a big move to the Gunners.

A Daily Telegraph report claimed Arteta was casting an eye over the Brazilian after netting 10 goals in the top flight for Wolves. He was hugely influential in their 2-0 win over Manchester United on Boxing Day as he scored one and assisted the other to Hwang Hee-chan.

Speaking after that game, however, he looked to dispel rumours linking him with a move in January as he insisted he was happy where he was.

"I feel so happy to be here," he told Amazon Prime. "That's me as a leader of the team and then I give it to Channy [Hwang Hee-chan.] I think it's first goal in the Premier League [this season] and he says every single day, 'pass to me please'. So today I'm so happy because I got the chance to pass to him and he scored."

Forward is 'top priority'

We know Arsenal are crying out for a new striker - you only need look at their top scorers this season. Kai Havertz has six, while Bukayo Saka has five. League leaders Liverpool have the top scorer in Mohamed Salah, who has 16 on his own.

While Arsenal have had no trouble scoring goals this season - they've scored 34 - they could do with some help to lift the goalscoring burden off the shoulders of Havertz and Saka - who is now set to be out for a lengthy period with a hamstring injury.

The club have been linked with the likes of Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic in recent weeks and now Arsenal officials have made it their "top priority" to ensure they get a new forward in January, according to the Evening Standard.

The report claims there was a "clear" need for more firepower within the squad even before Saka's injury blow after watching the team fire a blank against Everton and struggle in their 1-1 draw against Fulham.

A new centre forward or a wide player would be a "welcome addition", it goes on, with Arteta seeking a player who can provide "magic moments" for his team.