Arsenal Transfer News: Left-Back Available As Wenger Runs Out Of Options

Arsene Wenger is running out of options to purchase a left-back on loan, but the Arsenal manager's problems could be solved as Lyon admitted today that Aly Cissokho is available to be sold if the price is right.

Wenger admitted to the official Arsenal website that it will be particularly difficult to purchase a left-back on loan this month, with most of the options available only receiving limited game time at their current clubs.

"A player who plays anywhere in the world at the moment will not be available on loan, it doesn't exist," he said.

"It can only be a guy who doesn't play or a promising player who has not yet made it completely who you could take advantage of.

"That is why it is not an easy situation. You have to consider that a guy who has not played for two months is not necessarily back quicker than Bacary Sagna or another player who is just coming back from injury."

With that in mind, while Arsenal are still on the lookout for a left-back, it would appear likely that the Gunners will have to dip into the permanent market if they hope to find cover for the likes of Sagna and the still injured Kieran Gibbs.

And Lyon chief Jean Michel Aulas has confirmed that Cissokho is available to the right club, as the transfer window enters the second half.

"Possible winter departures? That doesn't mean we don't have any more means, but we want to keep the rules we set, which is to not increase deficit," Aulas told L'Equipe.

"The transfer of Aly Cissokho? I am rather in favour of it.

"We could hire a centre defender, young, not expansive and versatile, but none of our current centre defenders will be free agents next June, and maybe in February they will all be back.

"We could hire a defensive midfielder as Maxime Gonalons is deputising as centre defender. We could also not do anything."

Newcastle were also said to be interested in Cissokho, but with a price tag of around £8 million, Arsenal would be a lot more likely to afford Cissokho's fee.

The 24 year old was connected to a move to Liverpool last summer, but Kenny Dalglish chose to sign Jose Enrique for the left back position instead, in a move that has so far paid off for the Merseyside club.

And while multiple reports are now placing Cissokho in the firing line for Arsenal, Wenger is in the process of deciding whether to take on a permanent defender or keep looking for a temporary one, leaving open the possibility that his top target might go elsewhere.