[ WATCH TV LIVE ]

It's not even reached Halloween and some serious transfer statements have been made that could send Arsenal fans up the wall over the coming months. After having a successful summer window, though only Declan Rice has really managed to show his true quality so far, there is optimism that the Gunners can make more key breakthroughs.

Mikel Arteta is still arguably a midfielder short, something that has been heightened by injuries so far this season, and in the centre forward department questions have been asked. Eddie Nketiah has once more stepped up in the absence of Gabriel Jesus but the chopping and changing has left the attack looking far from its best so far.

Jesus has been building up fitness in the opening two months but has also been shifted to the right, a space he was often used at Manchester City but rarely needed so far in north London. Bukayo Saka still holds the real key to things and the level of panic of his gametime and availability on a weekly basis is evidence not only of his quality but perhaps a level of overreliance on the 22-year-old.

It's understandable, then, that the Gunners are being linked with extra reinforcements in that department. Here, football.london takes a look at the latest rumours and gives a rational-ish take on them.

According to Darren Bent it is Pedro Neto that should be looked at when it comes to adding depth to the wide areas. He said on talkSPORT: “Yeah at Wolves, he’s too good. I’m hoping Arsenal get him. That’s what I’m hoping. Because he is fantastic.”

Neto has had a stunning start to the season, scoring once but assisting four in the opening weeks. He has played a part in over 50% of the goals for Gary O'Neil's side and has also found a level of fitness that excites. Having previously been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium there is reason to think that a deal would be explored again.

READ MORE: Arsenal predicted XI vs Manchester City as Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka both start

READ MORE: Arsenal line-ups vs Manchester City as Partey starts, Zinchenko dropped and Saka decision made

football.london says: Now, we shouldn't be taking Bent's hopes as gospel, but Neto is one of the most exciting players to watch. There have been parallels between the way he moves on the ball and how Eden Hazard dribbles, they aren't that far fetched either.

Neto has shown glimpses in his young career to date of being able to become that sort of threat but it's the consistency and fitness that has so far stopped him from truly living up to it. So, if Arsenal keep tabs on the 23-year-old and come back to it in the summer then there's a big chance that he could come onto their radar again.

In terms of if he fits the bill for Arteta, that is more up for debate. Neto is a maverick, a speedster and almost entirely unpredictable on the ball. This isn't something that screams control or balance like the Spanish coach would want but this is the same man that sanctioned a move for Kai Havertz.

Neto certainly has the potential to be a true asset for Arsenal in the future but this really relies on other players because it's hard to see him wanting to play back-up on the right or left wing and Reiss Nelson has already added complications to the depth charts.

If Arsenal were to sign Neto then it would likely need at least one relatively big name sale just so that there aren't too many bodies to contend with, even with European competition in the schedule. However, according to Calciomercato in Italy, their resolve is about to be tested.

They report that Serie A champions Napoli have put Jesus at the top of their list for potential Victor Osimhen replacements. The Nigerian has been linked with a move away for quite some time and attracted the attention of Arsenal last summer before being linked with them once more earlier this year.

Osimhen, it is said, has no intention of signing a new deal with his current club and that has been made even more unlikely after not only the departure of Luciano Spalletti following the Scudetto victory but also the now infamous social media post mocking Osimhen last month.

His contract doesn't end until 2025 but come the summer it will be just 12 months out from expiring and will put Napoli in a tight position. They are already planning for the early exit too with Jesus thought to be one of a number of options being looked at.

Alvaro Morata and Jonathan David are also mentioned as players on the list as Napoli 'start to look around' in case of the nightmare scenario unfolding. It is worth noting that the deal for Jesus is already deemed as not being easy to complete.

football.london says: Yeah, nah. Jesus isn't completely unsellable but he's about as close as Arsenal can get. There aren't many that offer the sort of creative and smart movement and spacial awareness as he does. There's a reason that the Gunners have struggled to hit top form without him.

Napoli have certainly found a good player but the only reason Arsenal would sanction a deal here is if it saw Osimhen going the other way. He can enhance the clinical nature of the squad, something that Jesus has been evidently lacking in his years in England so far, but there's a lot that he adds that isn't recorded as tangibly.

Jesus is one of the first names on the teamsheet for Arsenal and frankly there's no reason for them to be worried about their star moving on yet. He is key to the group both in terms of what he offers on the pitch and with leadership qualities. Fun little story this one but not going to happen.

Adblock test (Why?)