Corinthians starlet Gabriel Moscardo is the latest player to be linked with a January transfer to Arsenal. According to the Evening Standard, the north London outfit are ready to rival the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool for the youngster’s signature.

With holding midfielder Thomas Partey currently sidelined due to injury, the Gunners are said to be keen to recruit someone capable of operating in the centre of the park. But that shouldn’t be Moscardo.

The 18-year-old is supremely talented and it is in no way an indictment of his talent, but Arsenal need to go for someone more ready-made than the young midfielder. Mikel Arteta’s side remain one of the youngest squads in the Premier League.

It is one of the reasons why their sudden rise to the top last season was so unexpected but it is also why they don’t need to sign a teenager to replace an experienced world-class talent. Partey has shown that he can’t fully be relied upon over the course of a full season.

The 30-year-old’s consistent fitness issues mean that there is no doubt a midfield recruit is essential, but they need to be a difference-maker straight away, not in a few years. Arsenal already have a ‘project signing’ in midfield in the form of Kai Havertz, who will clearly need patience if he is to succeed at the Emirates Stadium.

Granit Xhaka’s controlling ability and midfield presence is sorely missed in N5 so whoever comes in next must begin to replace his predecessor’s qualities. It sounds cliche but a more experienced player is needed, not Moscardo.

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Maybe 18 or even 12 months ago signing Moscardo, who has been compared to the likes of Declan Rice, would have been enough for the midfield. But not anymore.

Arsenal are in win-now mode and they need players who will instantly make that more likely. Of course in an ideal world, the Gunners would be able to sign the young Brazilian in conjunction with another more established option.

However, their summer outlay, which was in excess of £200million, will inevitably mean that funds are at more of a premium come the New Year.