Arsenal started the summer brightly by securing deals for Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette but the situation has changed dramatically since, with the Gunners failing to add to their two early recruits and losing two of their opening three matches.

Sunday’s heavy defeat to Liverpool at Anfield raised huge questions about Arsene Wenger’s side, who were well off the pace, and it sets up a crucial final days in the transfer window- especially as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks set to leave for Chelsea and Alexis Sanchez continues to be linked with an exit of their own.

Both departures would be a huge blow for Arsenal, as the Gunners have fought heavily to keep them at the club this summer, but sales can be seen as necessary due to the fact that both players have entered the final 12 months of their contract and could leave for nothing at the end of the season.

However, it would leave Arsenal with some big holes to fill in their squad and fans will understandably expect any money from sales to be reinvested into the side- with the Gunners crying out for another central defender, a central midfielder and perhaps a replacement for Alexis.

The latter of those deals may prove to be the most costly but Arsenal will find encouragement in reports that suggest long-term target Julian Draxler is available, following Paris Saint-Germain’s captures of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, so a move for the German ace could be right up their street.

Alternatively, Arsenal could move Aaron Ramsey into a more attacking role behind the main striker and spend big to get in a quality central-midfield partner for Granit Xhaka, with OGC Nice’s Jean-Michel Seri being a top-target.

Whatever the situation there though, it’s clear Arsenal need defensive reinforcements and the reports that Shkodran Mustafi could be sent on-loan to Inter Milan is extremely concerning, as the Gunners can’t really afford to see any further departures from their back-line.

Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk would be the dream signing and is a target who the Gunners could land, due to the Dutchman’s push for an exit from the South Coast this summer, and it would show Arsenal mean business.

Fans will understandably not be happy if Arsenal fail to make any major signings over the final few days of the window and the pressure upon Arsene Wenger has risen dramatically once again, with the Gunners finding themselves at breaking point.