Arsenal Want a Striker, but is it Too Late?

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Manager Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are “actively looking” to sign a striker who can “make an impact” in the January transfer window.

Those with Arsenal tickets are finally happy that the manager notices the significant void in front, but they feel it might be too late. 

Arsenal sits second on the table, but their chances of winning the league decrease by the week due to Liverpool’s dominance at the top. 

But looking ahead to future seasons, Arsenal needs bigger talent to support Saka, who is somewhat prone to injury. 

Arsenal have been short of attacking options after losing Bukayo Saka to a long-term hamstring injury and striker Gabriel Jesus with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Battle to the Title 

The Gunners are challenging for the Premier League title for the third season. Still, several injuries to key players and inconsistent results have seen them slip to six points behind Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.

Arsenal have also been knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United and trail Newcastle 2-0 after the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. In both of those matches, the Gunners missed a host of goalscoring opportunities.

Fans with Arsenal tickets know that their chances at silverware depend on the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. 

“We lost two important players, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. So we lack goals, people, or options in the frontline, it’s clear,” Arteta said.

“It is clear that in the period that we lost them, ideally, we need some help. We were short already, and now we are even shorter. The team still copes with that.”

However, he said he would only do “what is right for the club” and is “actively looking” to “get the right player”.

“Any player, no,” he added. “[It has to be] someone that makes us better and impacts the team.”

Arsenal have been linked with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, but Arteta, who did not comment on either player in his pre-match news conference, said it’s not a certainty that Arsenal will be able to complete a deal for a forward.

“It doesn’t depend on Arsenal, Mikel or our will. It depends on the market and a lot of different factors.” Arteta added.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said after the win over North London rivals Tottenham that he would not be “surprised” if Arsenal tried to sign a striker in this window, but Arteta said his players haven’t told him that they feel they need someone to come in.

“We have all been there; we look at each other,” Arteta said.

“We have very short numbers for many weeks, and they recognise the situation; we all do.”

However, the Arsenal boss said that he sometimes speaks to his players about potential signings, especially if they have played together before, to get an insight into their characters.

“That’s getting us away from the computer and what the data is saying, and it is real,” said the Spaniard.

“I have seen it, I sense it. A player can score a lot of goals, which is great. How does this player react when he hasn’t scored for six or seven games?

“This is what I am interested in. Watch an interview with a player who hasn’t scored for six games, and then what kind of goals does he score?

“Against which teams in which context? Is it the first half or the second half? Is it only with his right foot, only headers, only in open spaces? Does he like the physical contact of this league?

“There are a lot of things. So when you have a player that has spent a lot of days with him, that is valuable information to have.”

Price Set for Vlahovic if Arsenal Are Interested

Juventus have reportedly set their asking price for Dusan Vlahovic amidst growing interest from Arsenal.

The 25-year-old is enduring a rough patch, and his situation at the club has become even more complicated following the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani, who marked his debut against Napoli with a good finish.

Thiago Motta immediately entrusted the Frenchman with a starting role against the Serie A leaders, which is quite telling. Despite the team’s defeat, the new signing showed positive signs and made a good contribution overall. On the other hand, the Serbian was once again uninspiring in his late cameo, failing to hold up the ball properly.

Therefore, Kolo Muani is widely expected to cement himself as a regular starter in the coming weeks, leaving Vlahovic on the bench.

For his part, Italian journalist Paolo Paganini believes the former Fiorentina man might walk away in the next few days, especially if Arsenal were to put 40 million euros on the table.

The Gunners need attacking reinforcement after losing Gabriel Jesus to injury to revive their interest in the struggling Juventus man.

“If Arsenal were to come forward with 40 million euros, Vlahovic would leave in January,” said Paganini during his appearance on Rai Sport via Tutto Juve.

“The renewal negotiations with his entourage have led to nothing. He has a contract until 2026, so if he doesn’t leave now, he will definitely leave in June.”

On another note, a transfer market insider reveals that Andrea Cambiaso and Douglas Luiz could both be heading to Manchester City. Arsenal prospects snapped by other key clubs isn’t anything new for the fans with Arsenal tickets, as the side’s slow approach has often halted star signings. 

“Douglas Luiz is indeed having a negative campaign, but why does Manchester City want to buy both Cambiaso and Douglas Luiz? Juve still wants 80 million euros for Cambiaso. Both Douglas Luiz and Cambiaso should go to City.”

City Looking to Snap Arsenal Target

Manchester City are looking to beat Arsenal to the signature of Rosenborg midfielder Sverre Nypan, who has been compared to Gunners captain Martin Odegaard.

Nypan, 18, has long been touted as a potential star of the future. He made his debut in Norway’s top flight at just 15 years old. He now has 60 senior appearances under his belt, racking up 13 goals and 11 assists.

Links between Nypan and the two Premier League heavyweights emerged earlier this month. They were quickly ramped up when The Athletic revealed Arsenal were moving to get ahead in the race for his signature.

The Gunners are advancing in negotiations with Nypan’s representatives as they seek to team him up with captain Odegaard. 

Still, Fabrizio Romano has revealed City’s push to convince Nypan to move to the Etihad instead.

Indeed, Nypan was in the stands to watch City’s comfortable win over Chelsea on Saturday after a tour of the club.

City is proposing a loan move to its sister side, Girona, in La Liga, which they hope will give Nypan the immediate first-team exposure needed to help him claim a place back at Etihad.

Nypan has not yet made a decision on his future, and Arsenal is still very much in the race to complete a deal alongside one other unnamed club.

Arsenal tickets for the Champions League games are now available for sale. 

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