After Arsenal's abysmal performance against Aston Villa in their opening game of the English Premier League season, Arsene Wenger is being linked with a couple of midfielders who could add some much-needed quality to the squad.

Arsenal reportedly had a £19 million ($29.6 million) bid rejected by Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer for Lars Bender, but with Wenger now desperate to add some bodies to the squad, reports in Germany suggest Arsenal could come with a second improved offer for the German international.

Let's face it, playing Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere in the two deep-lying midfield roles does not work. Neither are very proficient defensively on their own, even if Ramsey has considerably improved in that department.

Mikel Arteta has acquitted himself admirably in that area, but with the midfielder possibly out for six weeks, Wenger needs to bring in a proper defensive midfielder to the Emirates and quickly.

Apart from Spain, Germany is the place where you can pick up little gems that will add to your squad considerably and in Bender, the brother of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven, Arsenal have a fully shaped diamond.

Wenger's mistake was not to go back with a second bid for Bender, even if Leverkusen vehemently said the player was not for sale.

It still isn't too late and tempting Leverkusen to sell Bender by making a considerable offer will go a long way in salvaging what has been a poor transfer window for Arsenal so far.

Now with matters looking increasingly desperate, it really is time for Arsenal to put up some cash and bring in some quality players that will not only add to the squad but take them a level higher.

Another player who could do that is Atletico Madrid playmaker Arda Turan, with his agent suggesting his client was keen on a move to the Premier League during this transfer window.

"The transfer of Arda to the Premier League this summer is likely," Turan's agent Ahmet Bulut told Turkish television.

"England is where most of the interest in him lies and they are well informed about Atletico's stance.

"They know that the Madrid club are rejecting all offers for him but that if the pay his release clause there is nothing the club can do."

Arsenal were heavily linked with Turan last season and with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picking up what looks like a long-term injury, it might be time to strengthen the creative department as well.