Arsenal are unlikely “to make a big splash for a striker” before the end of the 2024 winter transfer window, as journalist Paul Brown pours cold water over the potential of a centre-forward addition at the Emirates Stadium this month.
Mikel Arteta hopes to build a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title and other top honours but may feel his Gunners side needs more depth in the striker department.
Arsenal came close to securing their first league triumph during the 2022/23 season but were pipped to the post by eventual treble winners Manchester City after the north London outfit ran out of steam. Gabriel Jesus currently plays as Arteta’s first-choice striker but has been criticised this term and hasn’t been as productive as the club would have hoped in his second season at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s striker issues across the 2023/24 season
After 21 games, Arsenal are well in the race to challenge for the Premier League title, sitting five points behind leaders Liverpool and level with Manchester City. However, the Sky Blues have played a game less with a better goal difference. But an inconsistent run of form across December and January has left the Gunners trailing their rivals, having sat top of the table for much of the campaign’s early stages.
Goals have not been much of a problem for Arteta’s side. Arsenal sit fifth in the Premier League goal-scoring charts, having hit the back of the net 42 times during the 2023/24 season. They have scored just six fewer goals than Manchester City, who lead the Premier League in attacking returns.
However, the form of first-choice centre-forward Gabriel Jesus has proved a concern for Arsenal. In 16 Premier League appearances, the 26-year-old has scored just three goals and registered two assists. It’s not the form of a No. 9 who will fire Arsenal to a Premier League title, and the club have been linked with several striker additions in January.
In November 2023, Sky Sports News revealed that the Gunners and Chelsea had Brentford striker Ivan Toney on their radar. However, the Bees reportedly value the one-cap England international at £100m, which seems to have ruled out the possibility of a departure from the Gtech Community Stadium this month.
