Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger says he is prepared to spend money in January (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger has hinted Arsenal will be in the market for a new defensive midfielder in the January transfer window.

The Gunners boss finds himself short in that position following injuries to Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta.

‘We are in a position where we want to do something,’ said Wenger. ‘If I find the right quality I will do something.’

The question is who would be of the right quality?

Here are three defensive midfielders I think would be worth the investment.

Ruben Neves

Porto’s midfielder Ruben Neves would be a gamble for Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images)

Club: FC Porto

Age: 18

Estimated transfer fee: £29million

Neves is very young but the Portuguese player has already made a name for himself at Porto. With two international caps to his name already the 18-year-old is attracting interest from several top European clubs.

Porto are good at getting a good deal for their players and they won’t want to sell Neves just yet, but it is believed that he has a £29million release clause. With his talent and at his age, that price tag is not steep.

Wenger may have a problem convincing the player to move, however, with Porto looking like the perfect place for him to develop.

With the lack of world class players on the market, Arsenal need to take risks and sign players who have the potential to evolve into the calibre of player we need.

Lars Bender

Leverkusen’s midfielder Lars Bender has been linked with Arsenal for ages (Picture: Getty Images)

Club: Bayer Leverkusen

Age: 26

Estimated transfer fee: £22million

Bender has long been linked with a move to The Emirates, but 2016 could finally be the year he actually arrives.

An established German international, he would add experience and maturity to our midfield.

The problem with Bender is that he is not an out and out defensive midfielder, he likes to shuttle between attack and defence so, alongside Santi Cazorla, I’m not sure we would have enough defensive steel.

Ilkay Gundogan

Ilkay Guendogan would be a superb signing for Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images)

Club: Borussia Dortmund

Age: 25

Estimated transfer fee: £25million

Gundogan has returned to top form for Dortmund following a season long injury sustained in 2014.

The German is not a pure holding midfielder, he also has offensive qualities, but that doesn’t mean he can’t play there.

Alongside Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil in the heart of midfield, I think the trio could combine to create a formidable unit.

Dortmund won’t want to let him go, but Gundogan could be tempted by the chance to move to England.

I very much doubt this transfer would occur in January though, so if Gundogan is the man that Wenger wants, he may have to wait until the end of the season.

Conclusions

What is certain is that Arsenal need to make some signings in January. Wenger has said he wants to, but he needs to back up these words with actions.

We cannot afford another title bid to be derailed by injuries. We must be ruthless and identify our targets, paying what needs to be paid to finalise the deals.

More: Three players Arsenal must sell and replace in the January