Arsenal could let players leave in special deadline day deal, says Charlie Nicholas

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Former Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas says only a "special deal" on the final day of trading in the January transfer window will tempt manager Arsene Wenger into a last ditch deadline day signing.

The Gunners have made three signings during the mid-season window in the form of Gabriel Paulista and Krystian Bielik but are unlikely to make any further additions as the clock ticks towards the 11pm deadline.

Mesut Ozil and Andrey Arshavin are just two of the signings made by Arsenal on previous deadline days, but Nicholas agrees that no deals will be completed unless it constitutes something extraordinary.

"It would take a special deal for Arsene Wenger to do anything now," he told Sky Sports. "I would like to see a midfield player.

"They signed the young Polish fellow, Bielik, so maybe he'll be part of the main group. I don't see Arsenal doing any business; if anything, maybe one or two going out."

Defensive midfield is generally considered to be Arsenal's primary weakness, with Francis Coquelin the latest player to be given a run in the position in the absence of Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta.

The French youngster again impressed as Arsenal swept aside Aston Villa on Sunday, and ex-defender Martin Keown says the 23-year-old has saved Wenger delving into the market to buy an established holding player.

"There were a lot of calls for Arsenal to sign a new defensive midfielder before this transfer window opened but, in the last few weeks, the Gunners have found a new way to win without needing new players to do it," he told BBC Sport.

"He has done it by adjusting his midfield system to make it work with the players he has already got, rather than signing any more.

"Wenger might still feel that he needs to buy a new defensive midfielder before the window shuts on Monday.

"But, rather than filling a problem position, it would be as cover if Francis Coquelin gets injured, so he has someone else who can do his job."