The transfer window closes in just four days time, and Arsenal still have plenty to do.

We’re fast approaching panic time in the transfer market as clubs desperately try to get deals done in as little time as possible. Where some clubs will be looking for that one player who would be the cherry on the cake, Arsenal seem to be working out what ingredients they need.

Enough has been said over recent weeks about where Arsenal need to strengthen and who they could buy. We could still do with at least three players – a defender, midfielder and winger – but at this point we’ll be lucky to see one arrive.

In light of recent developments, though, the main priority may have shifted a bit from putting together the best possible squad to not sabotaging our own season before it’s really begun.

Shkodran Mustafi could join Inter Milan before Thursday’s deadline, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is nearing an exit after refusing £180,000 per week. To lose both players now, with such little time to find replacements, would be the height of madness from Arsenal.

God forbid what would happen if Alexis Sanchez ended up being sold as well.

Should Mustafi and Chamberlain leave, Arsenal need replacements.

That would be the bare minimum requirement and reports that Arsenal might not even do that much are incredibly concerning. Selling Mustafi means Arsenal would have four centre backs with only one having the absolute faith of the manager.

Selling Chamberlain leaves us with just one right wing back in the squad. We’d be one injury or suspension away from a full blown crisis at the back and it’d be entirely of our making.

At risk of over-simplifying things, what Arsenal need to do here is obvious: if they sell, sign replacements.

If they can’t find replacements, then don’t sell.

While that mess is being sorted, it’d be nothing short of a miracle if another first team player was signed before the deadline. Yet, that’s precisely what Arsenal need to do to improve the squad.

The centre back situation is far too precarious to leave alone, while the first two games of the season have revealed some worrying problems in midfield. A centre back and a defensive midfielder are needed.

So is, as well, the sales of several unneeded players somehow still hanging on to the squad. Debuchy, Gibbs and Lucas require new clubs. Their sales would free up space in the squad and on the wage bill, enabling Arsenal to make those much needed signings.

There’s plenty still to be done.

If we’re being realistic, it’s not all going to happen.

At this point, I feel it’d be more constructive to focus on maintaining the current strength of the squad. To begin a season without a fully prepared squad is incompetent enough without actively trying to weaken it.