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Here are today's Gunners-related stories from the Daily Mirror...

Smalling wanted in defensive search

Arsene Wenger has put Chris Smalling back on his list of potential January signings to solve his defensive nightmare.

Wenger is desperate to make a signing in January and the Manchester United defender could be available with Louis Van Gaal considering whether to let him go.

Gunners boss Wenger has already instructed his scouting staff to identify a defender to plug the gap with Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy still out.

Wenger admits he does not know when Koscielny will return after his Achilles injury and now says he has only a "little chance" to be fit after the international break.

Read more on Arsenal's potential targets by clicking here.

Slovenian scouted

Arsenal are reported to have sent a scout to watch Slovenian hot prospect Petar Stojanovic in action during the week.

The Maribor defended starred in his side's Champions League draw with Chelsea during the week, but his performance is said to have received an extensive review from watching English analysts.

According to Slovenian site EKIPA 24, scouts from Arsenal were joined by Manchester City and Manchester United representatives in the crowd, with the 19-year-old defender the most likely target for the Premier League giants.

Arsenal's scouts saw enough ability in the youngster during the return game at Stamford Bridge that they came back for a second look on the other side of the Alps.

Read more on Petar Stojanovic by clicking here.

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Friday's Arsenal stories from other papers & websites

Shock loan swoop?

Arsenal's returning winger Theo Walcott could be the subject of a shock loan offer from Fiorentina in January, according to the Express.

The England midfielder has only just made his return to playing action after injuring his knee in January - and the Italian side are set to offer him playing time as he returns to match fitness.

Fiorentina already have Manchester City star Micah Richards on loan and are looking to bolster their line-up with more temporary signings.

Arsenal already have a host of attacking options available to them in their line-up and could afford to offload Walcott in the short-term.

Walcott would take to the pitch alongside the likes of Juan Cuadrado and Mario Gomez if he was to make the switch to Serie A.

Shaq attack

Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are all continuing to monitor the progress of out-of-favour Bayern Munich midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, according to the Daily Star.

All three have been linked with a January move for the Swiss star after he failed to negotiate his way out of the Bundesliga club over the summer.

And they have been handed a boost after German club Schalke rejected claims that they were interested in signing the 22-year-old, leaving just the English trio interested.

Shaqiri has scored 10 goals in 50 appearances for Munich after making a £10million move to the club from FC Basel in 2012, but is now further down the pecking order.

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Defenders wanted

Arsenal will look to Virgil van Dijk and Ron Vlaar as they look to sure up their defensive options, according to the Daily Mail.

The Gunners have been forced to play Nacho Monreal at centre-back in recent weeks due to injury problems in the line-up, meaning Arsene Wenger is looking to snap up more defenders.

Arsenal will be determined to secure a defensive target in the January transfer window, but will look for the biggest bargain available to them.

Ron Vlaar is expected to be free to leave Villa Park for a cut-price as it seems that he will not sign a new deal, with his current one running out at the end of the season.

Van Dijk, meanwhile, could be snapped up for under £10million, making him one of the more affordable defenders, as Arsenal finally look to replace Thomas Vermaelen, who left for Barcelona in the summer.