Martin
Marvin Martin is one of the few promising midfielders remaining on the market. Reuters

Sitting on an estimated war chest above £80 million, Arsenal have less than a week before the transfer deadline to address major needs.

Samir Nasri has moved on to Manchester City, and like Juan Mata, who has joined Chelsea, the midfielder praised his new club at the expense of Arsenal.

I have reached a turning point in my career and it was important that I joined a club with ambition, said Nasri, to L'Equipe. I believe I have more chance of winning titles at Manchester City than at Arsenal.

Manchester City won the FA Cup last season, by edging Stoke, but prior to that, it had been 35 years since the Citizens won a title. At the moment, Manchester City appear to be a club on the rise, while Arsenal appear to be a club in limbo.

Players are leaving Arsenal faster than they're coming, and manager Arsene Wenger hasn't given indication that he has a plan to replace them. The club lacks star power, and depth in defense.

It was clear to everyone, even Wenger, that Arsenal needed a hard-nosed centre back after a season where opponents were taking advantage of Arsenal miscues. Somehow, Arsenal has downgraded their defense this summer when an upgrade was the club's summer mission. Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue moved on to Manchester City and Galatasaray, respectively, while only young Carl Jenkinson was added.

Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Christopher Samba, Per Mertesacker, and Scott Dann, were all potential centre back targets, but nothing has materialized after months of negotiations, while few recent rumours have surfaced about a last-ditch effort to add one of them.

The current situation is more urgent at midfield. Losing Cesc Fabregas and Nasri means Wenger must find at least one star playmaker, and the options are rather limited.

Not only is Mata off the market, but Arsenal appear to be out of the running for Eden Hazard, Jadson, Scott Parker, and James McCarthy, along with established stars, such as Wesley Sneijder, Kaka, Lucho Gonzalez, Franck Ribery, and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Wenger may still have some choices, which include French internationals Yann M'Vila and Marvin Martin, and French-born Andre Ayew, as well as interest in former targets Mario Gotze, Mathieu Valbuena, and Alan Dzagoev.

The most recent bid was £22 million for M'Vila, according to The Guardian. The defensive midfielder would be a welcomed addition att he moment with Alex Song on suspension. Though there were reports of interest in Martin and Ayew, there has yet to be a bid on either one.

Most troubling for Arsenal fans is the lack of activity. Everyone knows that the Gunners are interested in making a move, but there has been little talk about any of these players receiving a bid. In fact, there has been more talk this summer about players who are not arriving, than players who could be added.

Wenger could ease some tension with fans by at least stating that the club has a strong interest in a number of players, and at least make it sound like he is not sitting on his hands with the Premier League season in the balance.

For now, Wenger seems content with the current crop, and that's not good news for Arsenal fans.