Arsenal are poised to rekindle their interest in Aston Villa enforcer Douglas Luiz - as Mikel Arteta is becoming 'increasingly concerned' over Thomas Partey's fitness issues.
The Gunners failed with a last-gasp swoop to prise the Brazilian midfielder - who has less than 12 months remaining on his current deal at Villa Park - away from the Midlands outfit, with Aston Villa rebuffing a number of deadline day bids.
But Luiz, who has started just two Premier League matches this term for Steven Gerrard's side, is expected to be pursued by Arsenal again once the transfer window reopens in January.
That is according to The Sun, who claim that the Gunners are ready to launch a fresh bid to land the 24-year-old. However, Arsenal are no longer willing to pay as much as they were for Luiz back in the summer and now deem a £15m package to be a 'more than reasonable' offering for the midfield enforcer.
Luiz has refused attempts from Aston Villa to try and extend his deal - and that could play a part in convincing the Midlands outfit to do business in the January transfer window, which will be their final opportunity to cash in on the nine-cap star.
The Gunners' attempts to rekindle a deal comes in the wake of a fresh injury setback for Partey, who was withdrawn from the Ghana squad that was due to play Brazil during the international break at the eleventh hour, after complaining of discomfort in his knee.
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Partey has been plagued by injuries since moving to the Emirates in 2020 and has already missed half of Arsenal's eight games so far this term. And although Arsenal are 'hopeful' that the 29-year-old's latest problem is not too serious, Arteta is now determined to reinforce his midfield options in the New Year to ensure Arsenal do not fade away after making an electric start to the season.
Luiz has been a long-term target for the Gunners, with Arteta aware of the player from their time together at Manchester City. And the Spaniard expressed his disappointment after the club were beaten by the clock in their bid to land Luiz on deadline day.
Speaking shortly after the September 1 deadline, Arteta said: "We pushed to strengthen the team and bring the best possible people and players to this football club. We have managed to a certain level. Time was a big limitation with what happened in the last 72 hours in our midfield."
