Transfer Rumours: Arsenal linked with every defender going...

Iker Casillas has been linked with Arsenal...again.

It seems to be Arsenal day in the newspapers as the Emirates club are being linked to a plethora of defensive players today. Alex Johnson round up that and other stories.

Arsenal are poised to dip into the free-transfer market to solve their defensive crisis, with Lassana Diarra reportedly set to return.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger failed to add strength in depth to his defensive options during the summer, signing Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy but allowing Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen and Carl Jenkinson to leave.

With Debuchy now out for two months and Nacho Monreal suffering with a back issue, Wenger is down to the bare bones and reports on Thursday are suggesting he is looking at bringing in a free agent to ease the problem.

Diarra is currently unattached having left Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow and his versatility could make him a useful asset.

The 29-year-old spent six months with Gunners in 2007-08 but left to join Portsmouth in January of that season.

The Daily Express claim Wenger may now try to re-sign him, while the Frenchman is also looking at other free agents.

The Daily Mail claims that former Everton defender Joseph Yobo and Uruguay international Diego Lugano feature on a list of potential free transfers the club could make to improve their defensive options.

The same newspaper are also reporting that the Gunners could try to sign Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas in January.

The Spaniard has come in for criticism from the Real fans for his poor start to the season and the Gunners are set to make a fresh approach for the 33-year-old, despite having signed David Ospina in the summer.

Finally on the transfer front for Arsenal, Sport in a Storm are claiming that they are still keen on Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.

The north London club tried to sign the England international in the summer but failed. However, this has not put them off and they are ready to go back for him, although they might baulk at United's 16million asking price.

Away from the Emirates Stadium, Chelsea and Liverpool are set to battle it out for the signing of Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Julian Brandt.

The Daily Mirror claims both clubs have made checks on the 18-year-old German this season and are ready to firm up their interest when the transfer window re-opens.

Meanwhile, Juventus are said to have ended their interest in Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata.

The Daily Express claims the Italian giants were keen on the Spaniard but have now decided to pursue Barcelona forward Pedro instead.

The Spaniard has reportedly told Barca he wants to leave in January and Juve could now battle it out with Arsenal and Liverpool for his signature.