Arsenal are ready to sign a holding midfielder in January but the Gunners are struggling to obtain their prime targets, including Lars Bender, Christoph Kramer and Ilkay Gundogan

The Gunners have been handed a boost with Bayer Leverkusen admitting they cannot keep hold of Lars Bender

Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender, 26, and Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho, 23, are on Arsenal's shortlist of January transfer options to cover for injured midfielder Francis Coquelin.

Arsenal are targeting Bayer Leverkusen's £18m-rated Germany midfielder Lars Bender, 26

Manchester City could turn to Bayer Leverkusen's 26-year-old Germany international midfielder Lars Bender if their pursuit of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, 22, is not successful