The Gunners are once again in disarray in the wake of their FA Cup exit at the hands of Nottingham Forest and are well off the pace in the Premier League.

Their issues are compounded by the potential exit of talismanic forward Sanchez, who has refused to put pen to paper on fresh terms and is poised to join City.

Thomas Lemar is the among the players talked up as a possible replacement for the Chilean, having made his name in Ligue 1 with Monaco.

The latest reports from South America suggest Arsenal are looking further afield though as they plan for Sanchez’s expected departure.

According to Argentine outlet TyC Sports, a cluster of Europe’s top clubs are tracking Pavon.

And among them are Arsenal, who are prepared to meet his £33m (€37m) release clause.

Arsenal are apparently yet to make an offer for Pavon, who has scored three goals in 12 games this season.

However, it is claimed a bid could be launched "in the next few hours" with Sanchez on his way out.

Pavon is expected to to be included in Argentina’s squad for the World Cup this summer.

And Arsenal’s swoop could come before he signs a new Boca deal and his value goes up at that tournament.

Sanchez. meanwhile, could walk away from Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of the season.

City are prepared to pay up to get him on-board now though following an injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus.