Arsenal’s quest for a first Premier League title since 2004 is already in jeopardy – with the January transfer window coming at a perfect time.
The Gunners currently sit six points behind leaders Liverpool at the top of the table, with Arne Slot’s men also boasting a game in hand.
Despite the return of influential skipper Martin Odegaard, Arsenal have been inconsistent in the final third, and are not yet their usual free-flowing self.
Arsenal have been accused of being overly reliant on academy graduate Bukayo Saka, who has chipped in with nine goals and 13 assists from 24 games in all competitions this term.
The right winger has been directly involved in 15 out of the north London outfit’s 34 goals scored from their 17 Premier League fixtures so far.
But the Hale End star has dealt Arsenal a major blow following the hamstring injury he picked up in Saturday’s 5-1 win away at Crystal Palace – ruling him out until February.
Gooners were already crying out for Mikel Arteta to bolster his front line in the New Year, but with Saka now set for a spell on the sidelines, that is now vital should they wish to finally get their hands on the Premier League title for the first time in over two decades.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard – who have been rotating on the left wing – boast just Premier League goals between them.
Meanwhile Gabriel Jesus – often utilised as the back-up striker option behind Kai Havertz – has scored just three top-flight goals in 2024, with his recent double at Selhurst Park ending a barren spell of 11 months.
As for Raheem Sterling, his loan from Chelsea hasn’t worked as of yet, with the England international limited to just 146 minutes of Premier League action spread across six outings, with the player now ruled out with a knee injury.
And while Havertz is a popular figure amongst the club’s fanbase, he is not a lethal finisher, with it known that Arsenal are in the market for a new No.9 to elevate their game.
Here talkSPORT.com takes a look at five players Arsenal could look to splash the cash on in their bid to kickstart their title charge following back-to-back second place finishes.
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Ademola Lookman
The 27-year-old failed to reach the heights of expected of him in England after coming up through Charlton’s academy.
He somewhat flattered to deceive during his spells at Everton, Fulham and Leicester in the Premier League.
But he has transformed himself in Italy at Atalanta since moving to the Gewiss Stadium in 2022, where he is regarded as one of the top wingers in Serie A.
He is already on 12 goals for the season having banged in 15 and 17 in all competitions in his first two campaigns in Bergamo.
His versatility would also be appealing to Arteta with Lookman able to operate on either wing as well as up top.
Recently crowned as the African Footballer of the Year over Mohamed Salah following his hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final, Lookman would be an excellent addition to the Arsenal squad.
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Mohammed Kudus
West Ham’s versatile forward Kudus is another potential option with Arsenal known to be huge admirers of the Ghanaian.
The Gunners were heavily linked with a swoop to sign the 24-year-old in 2023, but he instead linked up with the Hammers from Ajax in a £38million deal.
He proved to be an instant hit at the London Stadium after scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists from his 48 games in his opening campaign.
Kudus has been involved in just five goals this term, but has still caught the eye in what has been a disappointing season so far for West ham.
And talkSPORT understands that Arsenal could make a move for the player in January with West Ham open to selling him for a hefty profit.
Kudus boasts a release clause of £85m which becomes active next summer, so Arsenal know they will have to break the bank to secure his services in the New Year.
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Marcus Rashford
Having scored six goals against the Gunners, Rashford could very well end up smashing them in for Arsenal should he depart Manchester United.
The 27-year-old, who has played on both wings and up top this term, is seeking a new adventure after revealing last week he is ‘ready for a new challenge’ ahead of the January transfer window.
talkSPORT understands that United are open to offers for the two-time FA Cup winner who has scored 138 goals in 426 matches for the club.
Rashford has been left out of United’s squad in their last three matches with all signs pointing towards a January departure.
Arsenal have shown in recent years they aren’t scared of poaching star players from rivals clubs having brought in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from City, Havertz, Jorginho and Sterling from Chelsea and Declan Rice from West Ham.
Should Arsenal eye up a swoop for Rashford, they would have to compete with three Saudo Arabian clubs, who have all expressed an interest in signing him.
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Viktor Gyokeres
With Jesus able to cover Saka on the right wing, Arsenal could look to sign a striker over a winger next month.
Rumours of an Arsenal switch for the Sporting Lisbon marksman refuse to go away.
No player has scored more than the Sweden international in 2024 having banged in a whopping 61 times for club and country this calendar year – 13 more goals than Erling Haaland.
A physical specimen, the 26-year-old is the striker Arsenal fans are desperate to snap up – despite the club being warned by Troy Deeney he won’t win them the league.
Gyokeres, who combines speed and power with deadly finishing, fired Sporting to the Primeira Liga title last season after scoring 43 goals in all competitions.
And he showed what he is capable of in early November after scoring a hat-trick against City in a 4-1 Champions League victory.
With Gyokeres boasting a release clause of around £85m, the option is there for Arsenal to sign him – but they know they could face competition from Manchester United.
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Jonathan David
Should Arsenal look to bring in a striker to provide competition for Havertz and are unwilling to stump £85m on Gyokeres, then Lille’s David could be a viable alternative.
While many Gooners may roll their eyes at the suggestion of the Canadian, the 24-year-old has been one of the most in-form players this year.
The 2021 Ligue 1 champion has banged in a total 41 goals in 2024 – with only Gyokeres, Haaland and Harry Kane scoring more.
He is currently leading the scoring charts in the French top-flight with 11 goals – and is now third on the list of Lille’s top scorer list with 101 strikes.
A cheaper option, David is set to become a free agent in 2025, with Lille likely to accept a lower fee for the player to avoid losing him for nothing.
Though Arsenal may have to act quick should they wish to bring him to the club with Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli all rumoured to be of interest.
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