Arsenal transfer news: Gabriel injury sees Lukas Klostermann emerge as Arsene Wenger’s top target this summer

And Gabriel’s ankle ligament injury in Sunday’s pre-season win over Manchester City means the Gunners are looking extremely light at the back.

Skipper Per Mertesacker was ruled out of action for at least five months in July, and Wenger cannot afford any more setbacks before this weekend’s Premier League opener against Liverpool.

The Frenchman now looks set to dip into the market for reinforcements, with Granit Xhaka his only other senior signing so far, and claims Klostermann is Wenger’s top target.

The 20-year-old centre-back is currently on Olympics duty with his country and has the ability to play in any position across the defence.

Klostermann is under contract at RB Leipzig until 2018 and Wenger is said to be ‘hot’ on his trail.

He might not be the big name Gunners fans were expecting, but the report adds that Tottenham, Juventus and Ajax have all expressed an interest in recent times.

The Emirates faithful are also praying for a striker to arrive despite Wenger’s insistence on using Theo Walcott in attack alongside Olivier Giroud.

But first choice Alexandre Lacazette suffered a ‘worrying’ hip injury as Lyon slumped to a 4-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's Trophee des Champions final, which could scupper his chances of a move to north London.

Meanwhile, Wenger is remaining tight-lipped over a potential deal for Leicester ace and PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez.

Everton target and wantaway Wolfsburg star Julian Draxler has also been linked with the Gunners, but disgruntled Newcastle man Moussa Sissoko has dealt Wenger a blow by admitting he has his heart set on a dream switch to Champions League winners Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane looks set to offload playmaker Isco to AC Milan and could bring in the Frenchman as a replacement after Sissoko shined at Euro 2016.