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Despite Arsene Wenger's insistence last week that he would not be pressurised into spending the £40million sitting in his transfer fund, plans are advanced for the January transfer window, with a number of signings expected.

The return of Inter Milan's Patrick Vieira, mooted in the summer but eventually dismissed by Wenger, is back on the agenda.

With Cameroon's Alex Song at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Vieira may yet earn his dream return to Arsenal as temporary cover and would provide valuable leadership in the months of the season when the trophies are decided.

Bolton's Gary Cahill is also being monitored closely, though with Manchester United interested in the centre-half, Wenger will steer clear if a bidding war develops.

Bolton manager Gary Megson is insistent Cahill won't be sold until the end of the season and the club will expect £20m for the defender. Arsenal won't pay that but Wenger needs cover for William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen.

Arsenal have scoured the continent but come up blank, with Juventus's Giorgio Chiellini admired but ruled out for now as, like Vermaelen, he is left footed and Wenger does not want two left-sided players at the heart of defence.

Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh is ready to come as the replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor.