Arsene Wenger needs a solid defensive midfielder who can give Arsenal some steel in the middle, and that midfielder could come from fellow English Premier League side Everton, with James McCarthy considering his future at the club.
McCarthy was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal before he eventually chose to be reunited with his former Wigan manager Roberto Martinez in the summer of 2013.
However, reports recently surfaced saying Arsenal were interested in completing a move for McCarthy as early as the January transfer window, with Wenger considering £16 million bid for the Republic of Ireland international, according to the Daily Mail.
And now, according to Goal, McCarthy could force a move out of Everton, with the midfielder reportedly unhappy at the fact that he has not been offered a new contract.
The report suggests Everton promised McCarthy an improved deal after his impressive performances last season, but that deal, so far, has not been put on the table.
That has led to suggestions McCarthy would be open to a move, leaving Wenger to pull the trigger and make that bid.
Arsenal need a solid midfielder in the centre of the park, especially considering Mikel Arteta has struggled with injuries this season, and have, therefore, been linked with the likes of William Carvalho, Morgan Schneiderlin and Lars Bender.
The Arsenal skipper could be out for a while with a calf injury, while Jack Wilshere is set for another long spell on the sidelines after injuring his ankle.
McCarthy has shown his worth for Everton, forming a formidable partnership with Gareth Barry in the middle of the park.
At 24, he can only get better as well, and he also has plenty of English Premier League experience, which Wenger has always stressed to be quite important.
The problem, though, from Arsenal's point of view, is if Everton will even consider a sale, and that too in the January transfer window.
McCarthy moved from Wigan for £13 million, and Everton, even if they are prepared to sell, will want to make a substantial profit.
Wenger is not someone who likes to spend cash in January, and the Arsenal manager might have to make a bigger offer than £16 million to get the transfer over the line.
Another concerning fact is that McCarthy is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, an injury which Martinez termed "serious," something that will definitely have to be considered by Wenger and Arsenal before even thinking about a firm offer in the January transfer window.
