The Gunners have endured a mixed start to the season with defensive frailties once again coming to the fore. Injuries haven’t helped Wenger’s cause but he needs to accept blame for failing to sign a defensive midfield general.

The London club are in desperate need of a defensive enforcer and Wenger’s refusal to address that particular position could come back to haunt him. Mikel Arteta is by no means a holding midfielder and Mathieu Flamini can’t do it all on his own.

There was talk of signing World Cup winner Sami Khedira in the summer but the Real Madrid midfielder’s wage demands ultimately proved to be a deal-breaker. Although the defence needs to be strengthened, Wenger also needs to sign a new holding midfielder who can act as a shield in front of the back four.

One player who Wenger must definitely target in January is Germany international Lars Bender, who plies his trade in the Bundesliga with Leverkusen. The 25-year-old has been linked with the Gunners in the past but has yet to leave the BayArena.

Bender is a good reader of the game and is relatively young at 25 years. He has excelled with Bayer in recent seasons and will be a target for many clubs across Europe. However, Arsenal should be able to tempt him but he will not come on the cheap.

Do you think Arsenal should make a move for Bender or should they continue to pursue Khedira?