Gilberto Silva knows Arsenal’s January transfer plans (Image: Getty)

Gilberto Silva appears to confirm Arsenal’s priority is to strengthen their midfield during the January transfer window.

Doubts over Gabriel Jesus’ durability had led to speculation that Mikel Arteta would go all out to sign a new striker.

Ivan Toney, whose eight-month ban for breaching gambling rules is set to expire, has been identified as a key target but Brentford’s £80m valuation combined with Chelsea’s interests makes a deal unlikely.

In any case, it now seems more likely that Arsenal will want to strengthen the engine room following Arteta’s plan to replace Granit Xhaka, with Kai Havertz showing few signs of success so far this season.

Thomas Partey’s recent fitness setback has put further pressure on the contracts of Kai Havertz and Jorginho, who have just over eight months left to run.

Experienced Egyptian Mohamed Elneny is back to full fitness after a year’s absence, but his contract also expires at the end of the current season and he is expected to be called up for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Arsenal will make another attempt to sign Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal have already been linked with an attempt to sign Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa, who they tried to sign 14 months ago before he signed a new long-term contract.

“I heard they might be looking for midfielders, especially with Partey getting injured every now and then,” Silva told Mirror Sport at the Web Summit in Lisbon, where he was promoting his new hate-free football social media platform Striver.

“I’m not sure it will work 100 percent, but of course they have to be aware that this is a very short time frame and very specific.

“Sometimes you have to be like a fisherman to find the right player, the one you really need, who will help you win games and who will be useful for the rest of the season.” Also to improve your game.

“It’s not about sometimes taking a player because you need him.” [them]. Edu often talks to people there. They work hard to have the data and know what they think is good for the club in terms of goals.

“The market is also very competitive, sometimes you have to be quick and not miss the opportunity.”