Arsenal turns its attention to Joe Aribo in desperate bid to shore up its porous midfield

STRUGGLING English Premier League side Arsenal have turned their attention to Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo with a view to signing him from Glasgow Rangers during the January transfer window.

Arsenal are currently sitting 12th in the English League table and are unlikely to make the top four to qualify for the Uefa Champions League or even to top seven to make the Europa Cup. Having conceded a massive 30 goals in just 20 games, Arsenal's main problem is its defence, so new coach Mikel Arteta is looking to shore up his back four and the defensive shield in front of the defence.

Only six Premier League clubs have conceded more goals than Arsenal this season, so Arteta is in desperate need of a tough anchorman who can sit in front of his back four. Aribo, 23, who only joined Rangers in the summer, has been a sensation this season, scoring six goals in 32 appearances and has also established himself as a firm starter with the Super Eagles.

This season, Aribo made his debut for Nigeria against Ukraine, scoring in his debut and then followed that up with another goal against Brazil when the Eagles drew1-1 with La Selecao in October. A huge favourite with the Rangers fans, Aribo, who is contracted to the club until the end of the 2022/23 season, has been watched by Rangers scouts recently.

Gunners scouts have watched the last six Rangers matches and have pencilled him and his teammate Glen Kamara, who used to play for Arsenal youth teams, as possible signings. Following an excellent season at Charlton Athletic last year, Aribo was being looked at by several Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Manchester City but was convinced by Rangers manager Steven Gerard to move to Glasgow.

A left-footed midfielder, Aribo shares the same agent as Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom, so organising a possible swoop in the January transfer window is a possibility. A strong box-top-box midfielder Aribo said that his strengths were driving with the ball and getting up the pitch.

Over recent weeks, Arsenal have been eyeing Wilfred Ndidi but Leicester are unlikely to sell him as his services are needed as the team pursues a Champions League spot. Also, the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona are said to be interested in Ndidi but it is unlikely he will leave the King Power Stadium until the summer.