Mats and Mata for Arsenal?

We're are so far away from the transfer window, but Arsenal are as far from the top of the table, after the latest hiccough against Hull.

More than half the Arsenal fans polled on the official website were predicting 12 points from the next 4 league games, prior to the draw clawed away from the Tigers; unfortunately, it was a case of misplaced optimism.

Now it's knee-jerk reaction time, which is equally misplaced. 'Drop Per Mertesacker' some say. What? Is this the same defender most fans wanted as the new Arsenal captain this summer?

'Act in haste but repent at leisure' is a phrase that comes to mind. The Germany international has not become a bad player overnight. However, he was partnered with a makeshift central defensive partner in Nacho Monreal, and clearly that has negatively impacted on his game.

To put thing right at the back, Arsenal do need an addition to the squad as Arsene Wenger has acknowledged. For me, that addition would Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels. The only problem is a £32million price tag. Arsenal's transfer kitty is reportedly £12million short of that sum.

Therefore, some sources maintain Arsenal will make moves for Atletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez Mata. He's not getting an awful lot of game time and will be a lot cheaper. Suddenly, it sounds more like a potential Arsenal purchase: off the radar and cheap as Chips (Keswick?).

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