Arsene Wenger has a transfer war-chest of £70 million as he looks to strengthen his squad to lay an assault on the Premier League title next season. The Gunners have failed to win a trophy in the last eight seasons, and Wenger knows he faces an important summer in the transfer market as question marks are being raised over his position at the club.

The Frenchman has regularly sold his best players in recent windows and has been unable to effectively replace them. The sales of key players like Fabregas, Nasri, Song and van Persie has resulted in Arsenal having yet another ordinary season, and needing to win their remaining league fixture in order to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Some Gunners fans may feel that the loss of Robin van Persie has been greatly felt by the club, and it may be true to an extent, but statistics tells us that Arsenal have scored more or less the same number of goals this season without the Dutchman in their side.

What they have truly missed is an orthodox defensive midfielder, one that can shield the back four and break up the opposition’s attacks. Wenger sold Song to Barcelona for around £15 million last summer, but was unable to find a worthy replacement.

He has often deployed the more creative-minded Mikel Arteta in the holding midfield role, but not to a good effect. Wenger has recognized he needs an out-and-out defensive midfielder, and is ready to dip into the transfer market.

According to Dailymail, Arsenal are tracking Gilbert Imbula as an ideal replacement for Song. The French Ligue 2 player holds the record for being the youngest player to play in Ligue 2 at just 17 years of age.

Arsenal were reportedly keen to bring Song back to the Emirates, but Wenger has dismissed such speculation. Celtic’s Victor Wanyama is another potential target for the Gunners, but it seems their focus has turned towards the 20-year-old Imbula.

The reports suggests that Arsenal will have to fend off interest from Chelsea and Lyon, who are also tracking the player, in order to secure his services.