Arsene Wenger
Wenger is considering his options now the January window is open. Reuters

Multiple sources are claiming that Arsene Wenger will chase French left-back Aly Cissokho in the transfer window, with Wayne Bridge off the cards for Arsenal as a result of his wage demands.

Rumours were flying around last week claiming that Bridge was set for a possible loan deal with the Gunners, as Kieran Gibbs suffered a setback in his recovery from injury.

But Arsenal insisted they were yet to make a formal approach for the former England international, and now Wenger looks more likely to go for Cissokho, who was a target for Liverpool before they purchased Jose Enrique in the summer transfer window.

Wenger admitted over the weekend that after Thomas Vermaelen became injured, a left-back would be the club's top priority as the January transfer window starts.

"Vermaelen has a calf strain, so maybe at midnight I will try to find a left-back," Wenger said, after the defender came off against QPR on New Years' Eve.

"We now have three left-backs out."

And Wenger confirmed after the side lost to Fulham 2-1 that with Vermaelen out for possibly the next three matches, the Gunners will make a move for a left-back as a matter of urgency.

'We lost Vermaelen for two or three weeks, so I have to look if I can find somebody, but only a loan," he said.

"We have three left-backs out, Francis Coquelin did well but he is a central midfielder. Kieran Gibbs is not too far, three weeks, but it is stupid to drop points because we don't have a left-back."

Cissokho has starred for Lyon in their defensive line up since moving to the club from Porto in 2009. With one international cap to his name, the 24 year old is hoping to move into the Premier League in the hopes of furthering his career.

"This week, I will speak with the Lyon staff. I reckon I prefer England, but for now, there is nothing done," Cissokho revealed as speculation connects the star to Arsenal.

The question will be whether Lille are willing to send Cissokho out on loan, with Wenger mindful of the fact that Vermaelen and Gibbs will both be back in contention for a place in the starting line up by the end of the month.

Arsenal have already revealed that they are close to signing Thierry Henry on a loan spell, and while the club did most of their business at the last minute of the summer transfer window, Wenger appears more likely to do some big business early on in this one.