Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants new midfielder in January and predicts Yaya Sanogo departure

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed the Gunners are looking to add a central midfielder to the squad during the January transfer window, while admitting striker Yaya Sanogo is likely to leave the club on loan to continue his development.

The French boss spent big during the summer in bolstering both the attack – Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck – and the defence – with Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers. Although they were heavily linked with a move on Real Madrid star Sami Khedira, Arsenal failed to sign a consistent back-up to Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.

And following the injuries of the captain himself, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, Wenger has admitted "there is a need" to strengthen the midfield in January.

"There is a need there but the right opportunity has to come up. To buy [just] to buy is not what we want to do, but if the right opportunity comes up, we will do it," the manager said, according to Arsenal official website.

"If you look at the number of games some players played, and the injuries we have with Wilshere, Ramsey and Arteta, we are a bit short at the moment in midfield."

With Diaby also out of action, Wenger recently opted to recall Francis Coquelin sooner than expected from his loan at Charlton.

Speaking about the French midfielder, he added: "I believe he has the potential but he has played one game, so it is a bit early to judge that. He will make a career and hopefully he will make it here."

"I want to give him credit because he kept his work rate and focus in training at a very high level when he didn't play. Then he went to Charlton and had a very good spell there as well."

Meanwhile Wenger has confirmed he is considering loaning Sanogo somewhere else to earn more playing time – while insisting Lukas Podolski is going to stay.

Sanogo has only started two Premier League games this season and after Olivier Giroud returned to action earlier last month he is expected to have even less opportunities in the second part of the campaign.

"Offensively we have many options [when everyone is fit], too many to keep everyone involved with the right number of games, that is for sure," he said.

"I don't really doubt [loan deals] in some positions where players need experience. That's not the case for Podolski but players who need practice because they're at a very young age like Sanogo, it is not impossible."

Speaking about Podolski, he added: "He is a player of Arsenal Football Club and I want him to stay. Apart from that, what it is to be professional is that as long as you are somewhere, you give your best to justify your wages and your love for the club,

"I hope [that Podolski will stay. The] Inter Milan [reports] are not serious. They talk, it is only talk."