Three attackers Arsenal can target in January after Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling injury blows - opinion
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Mikel Arteta recently dropped the bombshell that Arsenal will be missing Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling for much of the festive period.
Arteta confirmed that Saka has suffered a serious hamstring issue that will see him missing for 'many weeks', whereas Sterling's issue is also a matter of 'weeks' for Arsenal.
As a result, Arsenal could potentially only have two senior wingers available until the second half of January: Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Martinelli was brilliant as a right-winger against Palace, and seems likely to start against Ipswich Town on the right as a result, but the Gunners will require more strength in depth.
Therefore, TBR Football have looked at three potential deals Arsenal can chase in January.
Dani Olmo
It might seem peculiar to suggest that Arsenal can sign one of Barcelona's flagship signings just six months after he arrived at the Nou Camp.
However, as explained by The Athletic, Olmo could leave Barcelona on a free transfer in January.
Barcelona's wage bill caused serious issues in terms of registering Olmo back in the summer, and they were only able to include the Spain international just before the registration deadline because of Andreas Christensen's long-term Achilles injury.
It's a complicated situation but unless the Spanish club are able make funds available in January then Olmo won't be able to be registered for the second half of the season under the same injury-exception rule.
And according to the same report, Olmo has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave Barca for free if he's not registered by the end of next month.
Bryan Mbeumo
After Arsenal rushed a deal over the line for Sterling on deadline day, it soon became clear that the club were looking at some longer-term targets too.
According to reports, Arsenal considered Bryan Mbeumo, a versatile forward who has since continued to thrive at Brentford.
Signing Mbeumo would be the expensive option for Arsenal who would have to part with a big fee to land Thomas Frank's star forward mid-season.
However, if Arsenal are going to commit funds, it needs to be for a player with long-term prospects at the Emirates Stadium, which Mbeumo definitely has.
Aston Villa are interested in Mbeumo as well, and perhaps Arsenal could steal ahead of Unai Emery next month.
Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus is another expensive option for Arsenal, but a realistic one given recent developments.
West Ham might sell Kudus next month in order to redistribute the funds they raise around their squad, and Arsenal are interested.
Kudus has been linked with Arsenal for a long time now, so again he wouldn't necessarily be a knee-jerk reaction to losing Saka for a significant period.
Arsenal have needed an addition with a bit of 'x-factor' for some time now, and Kudus is definitely that.
Perhaps the Ghanaian could be even more expensive than Mbeumo, but he would certainly be worth the hassle if Arsenal were able to convince West Ham to agree to a deal.
