Will Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sign a new striker in the January transfer window?
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has recently stated that if a special player becomes available in January then he will not turn down the opportunity to sign him.
I am not sure if that is encouraging news or not for Gunners fans, as the Gunners fans are hoping for a new striker in January.
Plan B
Arsenal have been looking for a new striker since the summer, as French striker Olivier Giroud is the Gunners only viable striking option. The Frenchman will miss today’s game with Cardiff through an ankle injury though.
It is not believed to be a serious injury. Everybody connected with the Gunners have feared that the Frenchman may pick up an injury at some stage of the season. Giroud’s injury leaves the Gunners with very few attacking options.
Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner is not good enough, which leaves Arsenal with just wingers Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski as their attacking options. Both players are very capable central strikers, but both have spent most of their time at the Emirates playing on the wings.
Possible targets
The January transfer window will give the Gunners the opportunity to improve their striking options. Here are some of the strikers that could be available in January to Arsene Wenger:
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
The Belgium international is currently struggling with a knee injury and has not featured for the Villans in the last three games. Prior to his injury layoff his form was poor and the big striker had not scored since the middle of September.
Nobody doubts his talent though, after the young striker found the net 19 times in his debut campaign in the Premier League. Ironically he started the season in red hot form scoring four goals in the first games of the season, including a brace in the Villans 3-1 opening day victory at the Emirates.
Whether Villa would be willing to part with the striker is unknown, but the Midlands outfit are struggling for points and the sale of Benteke could be used to strengthen the team in other areas. Maybe Benteke needs to move on to regain his confidence and scoring touch.
Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)
The Brazilian-turned Spaniard is suddenly hot property. The striker has scored 19 goals in 17 La Liga appearances this season, as he has filled the boots of the departed Radamel Falcao with ease. Costa was something of a journeyman in the early part of his career, before establishing himself as a regular in the Atletico team in the past couple of seasons.
Costa is now rated as one of the most dangerous strikers in the European game and would come with a major transfer fee. Atletico seem confident that Costa will remain at their club until at least the summer though.
Costa would no doubt add something to the Arsenal team and seems to have every attribute needed to be a top player in the Premier League.
Mario Balotelli (AC Milan)
The former-Manchester City striker is as mad as a box of frogs, but he has undeniable talent. Balotelli is a player that has the potential to be a truly top-class player, if he can improve his attitude.
Balotelli has scored six goals in 12 appearances, as the Rossoneri have endured a poor season in Serie A. Reports emanating from Italy had suggested that the former-Inter striker would be made available for sale in January.
However, his club have denied that the temperamental striker is for sale in January. In football anything can happen though. Whether Arsene Wenger would want to unsettle his squad by signing the controversial Balotelli remains to be seen.
Demba Ba (Chelsea)
The Senegalese striker has struggled for first team action at Chelsea since his arrival from Newcastle and could be on the move this January. Ba would not be a marquee signing, but he would give the Gunners another forward option.
The Gunners came close to signing Ba on-loan in the summer, but the move did not materialise. The former-West Ham striker could be a viable short-term until the summer, when the Gunners could have a wider range of striking targets.
Ba would not be an improvement on Olivier Giroud, but he would definitely provide better cover for the French international than the ineffective Bendtner.
Alexandre Pato (Corinthians)
The former-AC Milan wonderkid has been heavily linked with a move to London with both Arsenal and Tottenham in recent months. His career has slightly stalled in recent years, with doubts over his attitude overshadowing his ability.
The striker does have ability though and maybe a change of surroundings would help him rediscover his best form. However, Arsenal boss Wenger has denied that the club are interested in signing the Brazilian, so the striker may not be heading to the Emirates Stadium anytime soon
Difference
Whether Arsenal signs a striker or not could be the difference between the Gunners claiming silverware and not this season. A quality addition to their strike-force could mean the Gunners becoming Premier League champions this season.
If Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger does not strengthen his strike-force in the January transfer window he may just be missing a massive opportunity to claim the Premier League crown. Arsenal fans have been starved of silverware for too long and January could be the key to end that draught.
The Gunners are currently odds of 4/1 to win the Premier League title. I am sure those odds would be reduced greatly if the Gunners pulled off a major signing in January. Mr Wenger it is over to you.
Which striker should Arsenal sign in the January transfer window?
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