The Guardian are reporting that Arsene Wenger is still seeking a defensive midfielder despite the emergence of Francis Coquelin.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday the Arsenal manager was in bullish form as the journalists tried, in vain, to get him to reveal his transfer plans ahead of the summer window springing open.

“The world has changed,” Wenger said. “The appreciation today of the quality of a player is just down to the money you spend. If we had bought Coquelin at Christmas for £40m, everyone would say, ‘What a signing.’ I am sorry he didn’t cost any money. He is still a good player.”

Although he doesn’t seem to have mentioned directly that he is looking for a defensive midfielder (and a goalkeeper), the Guardian are convinced that these two positions are both on the manager’s shopping list for the new season.

However, we aren’t so sure, at least not when it comes to buying a new keeper.

Asked in his press conference ahead of the United game at the weekend about Petr Cech, the manager was quite convincing regarding the keepers he has at his disposal already, calling the trio of David Ospina, Wojciech Szczesny and Emiliano Martinez all ‘world class’ and regardless of your own opinion on that, it’s Wenger’s that is, ultimately, the deciding factor.

Having just signed Ospina last summer and with a lot of time, money and energy being put into Woj’s development over the last nine years, it’s hard to see Wenger adding to the ranks unless Woj forces his hand by deciding to move.

Reports in the press on Wednesday claim that Southampton are interested in taking him on loan for next season to cover for the knee injury to Fraser Forster which could see him miss the entirety of the 15/16 season.

Martinez barely registers on anyone’s radar, but after a short loan spell with Rotherham in the Championship, he was being hailed as a future number one.

As for a defensive midfielder, it’s hard to gauge how accurate the Guardian are in believing one will be incoming. Arsenal have needed to reinforce that position for a number of years yet have failed to do so.

It would seem odd, then, that they decide to add to the ranks when they’ve finally found a player who fills that role. Of course, money could well have played its part in recent seasons, restricting their ability to add a player of significant quality.

Rumour has it that, although Morgan Schneiderlin has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, Wenger is cautious about purchasing the player due to his lack of European experience.