Arsenal suffered their second Premier League defeat of the season on Tuesday when they went down 2-1 away at Everton.

The Gunners took the lead at Goodison Park courtesy of Alexis Sanchez’s 12th league goal of the campaign, but the home side hit back through Seamus Coleman and Ashley Williams to seal a much-needed three points for Ronald Koeman’s men.

Despite the defeat, Arsene Wenger’s side remain second in the Premier League table, although could find themselves nine points behind league leaders Chelsea by the time they take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

It was a frustrating evening for the Gunners, but it shouldn’t detract from a fine opening four months of the season, which has seen them win ten of their 16 league games, and indeed win their Champions League group for the first time in five years.

However, Tuesday’s loss did highlight a few deficiencies in the Arsenal side, and Wenger may already be turning his attentions to how he can bolster his squad in the January transfer window.

And, with the African Cup of Nations starting next month, he may be tempted by some of those players on show in the competition, so here are TWO AFCON stars to keep an eye on…

Riyad Mahrez

Leicester City are struggling near the foot of the Premier League table, which could mean that PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez could be open to leaving the King Power Stadium come January.

The 25-year-old scored 17 goals and laid on 11 assists to help Claudio Ranieri’s side win the title last season, but he hasn’t produced that same level of performance this time around, netting just three times thus far.

However, a player of his quality isn’t going to be particularly happy slugging it out near the bottom of the table and, given that Arsenal expressed an interest in the summer prior to the Algerian international signing a new deal, they may do again in January.

Although talk has gone quiet in recent months, Wenger may well be tempted to go in for the tricky winger again in a bid to bolster his attacking options at the Emirates.

Franck Kessie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Oyepz6lhU

Franck Kessie is a man who is attracting a lot of interest across Europe.

The 19-year-old midfielder is one of the hottest properties in Serie A, netting five times in 14 games for Atalanta this season to help the club to sixth place in the table.

Kessie, who spent last season on loan at Serie B outfit Cesena, is a regular in the Ivory Coast squad, although has yet to net for his country in ten caps.

Nonetheless, his quality, and more so his potential, is clear for all to see, and Arsenal will likely do battle with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, and Juventus to secure the youngster’s signature.

Recent reports suggest that Juventus, for five successive years the winners of Serie A, are stepping up their interest in a bid to keep him in Italy, so Wenger needs to act fast if he wants to bring his man to North London.