Arsenal are keen on Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, according to reports, as Mikel Arteta looks to reinforce his team to keep up their Champions League push.

Currently flying high in fourth in the Premier League, Arteta's young and free-scoring side have impressed this season, although he is eager to splash out in this window.

And, as claimed by ESPN, Villa enforcer Luiz is his No 1 target in the centre of the field in a move which comes as no surprise in light of Arsenal's selection crisis.

Arsenal are keen on moving for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, according to new reports

Both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are set to miss out on at least five of the club's next games because of the Africa Cup of Nations.

With Ainsley Maitland-Niles also poised to leave, Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga are the two senior midfielders Arteta can choose from.

To complicate matters, Lokonga has only recently recovered from Covid-19.

ESPN have described the Arsenal boss as being an admirer of Luiz, but the 23-year-old was seemingly not his first-choice for his position.

Indeed, Chelsea favourite Jorginho was coveted by him 18 months ago, and the north London side's failure to land him leaves Arteta in need of a holding midfielder.

There is also business to be done in the No 9 position, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future unclear after he was frozen out for his disciplinary issues. 

The same outlet have listed a shortlist of players who may replace him, including Real Sociedad's Alexander Isak and Fiorentina hot shot Dusan Vlahovic.

Everton ace Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Luiz's team-mate at Villa, Ollie Watkins, have also caught the eye of Arsenal.