Arsenal news and transfer rumours: Real Madrid midfielder linked with January move

Here are all the latest Gunners stories from today's Daily Mirror and other news outlets...

Gunners line up bid for Spanish starlet

Arsenal are preparing a January bid to land Real Madrid playmaker Isco.

The Spaniard handed in a transfer request this week and that has put Arsene Wenger on alert, reports Fichajes.

The 23-year-old joined Real from Malaga for €30million in June 2013 but he is reportedly unhappy with his playing time at the Bernabéu.

Monreal in talks over new deal

Arsenal full-back Nacho Monreal is in talks with the club over a new contract.

The Spanish left-back is out of contract at the Emirates Stadium in the summer but Arsenal have the option to extend it for a further year.

"I have always said that my idea is to stay here," Monreal told talkSPORT.

"We are talking [with the club], we need to talk and reach an agreement. I wish that to happen. Of course I'd like to stay here."

Galatasaray pull out of Ibrahimovic chase

Turkish giants Galatasaray have pulled out of the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

And according to talkSPORT that leaves the door open for Arsenal to press ahead with plans to sign the 34-year-old Swedish veteran.

Ibrahimovic is out of contract with PSG in the summer and he is reportedly seeking a fresh challenge.

David James told Arsenal to sign Madrid ace

Former England goalkeeper David James has revealed he told Arsene Wenger to sign goalkeeper Keylor Navas before he went to Real Madrid.

But Wenger didn't take James' advice on board and instead he opted to sign David Ospina instead, writes Mirror Football's Ben Burrows.

"Navas is awesome," said James. "He has been for a few years now. I enquired a couple of years ago to Arsene Wenger, 'Why don't you go for Navas, £8million or £10million buy-out?' He had (David) Ospina on his card, he went for Ospina, didn't he?"

Wenger admits it's "now or never" for Joel Campbell

Joel Campbell has scored in the World Cup and against Manchester United but never for Arsenal.

But manager Arsene Wenger has told the Costa Rica star it is “now or never” for his Gunners career with the club facing an injury crisis, writes Mirror Football's Neil McLeman.

Campbell signed for the north Londoners back in August 2011 yet has been sent out on loan to France, Spain and Greece despite starring in Brazil last year.

“I have been very impressed with him, his attitude is outstanding,” Wenger said. “He can be a big help for us. In the coming two to three months he can be very important.

Midfield legend praises Jack Wilshere

Former Barcelona captain Xavi has heaped praise on Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.

The World Cup winner, now playing in Qatar, believes Wilshere has the quality to be a key man for both club and country - if he can steer clear of the injury problems that have dogged his career so far, writes Mirror Football's Alex Richards.

Wilshere, 23, is currently sidelined with yet another ankle injury - the TENTH of his career.

But Xavi believes that the England star possesses abilities that separate him from his peers, remembering Wilshere's breakout performance against Barcelona in 2011.

Wenger defends Arsenal's injury record

Arsene Wenger has mounted a staunch defence of Arsenal's injury record – and defended his decision not to sign a single outfield player in the summer.

Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have joined the growing band of crocks after picking up muscle strains in the midweek Capital One Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, writes Mirror Football's Neil McLeman.

Former Wales fitness coach Raymond Verheijen has accused the veteran coach of using out-dated training methods and working his players too hard.

Before today's trip to Swansea, Wenger admitted there is “always a question we have to answer when we have injuries”.

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