Morgan Schneiderlin
Morgan Schneiderlin (left) tussles with Christian Eriksen of Spurs Reuters

Arsenal are pursuing French internationals Clement Grenier and Morgan Schneiderlin, according to the Express newspaper.

Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger is looking to bolster his midfield options after last season's title challenge was derailed due to injuries to key players, such as Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, during the final months of the campaign, leaving them short of quality replacements.

Arsenal have Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini who currently occupy the holding midfielders role, but with the former on the final year of his contract and the latter only viewed as a backup, Wenger is keen to bring in the French internationals.

Grenier who plays his club football at French club Lyon was linked to Arsenal during last summer's transfer window before ending the speculation by signing a contract extension with Lyon. The Ligue 1 midfielder who recently saw his World Cup dream shattered through injury can be deployed as a winger or attacking midfielder.

Meanwhile, Schneiderlin, who has put in some impressive performances in the holding midfield role for Southampton has been monitored by the north London club. Earlier in the year, when asked about his future, he made it clear that he wanted to play for a big club one day.

Schneiderlin, who was a late call up to the French World Cup squad, due to injuries to Frank Ribery and Grenier has spoken about his shock at being called up.

"I didn't answer the call to start with because I did not recognise the number," Scheiderlin said in the Independent.

"[France coach Didier Deschamps] told me two players were injured so I needed to be ready, and that he would contact me the next day to tell me if I must come. After that call, I needed a bit of time before I could sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about what would happen the next day.

"He did not promise me anything, just that I needed to be ready. It was certainly not the easiest night I have had.

"Then Friday, he called me and told me I needed to come. It was an incredible day. I can't believe it -- everything has happened so quickly," the Saints midfielder added.