Arsenal given Viktor Gyokeres transfer approval as Mikel Arteta sent Alexander Isak message

Mikel Arteta's attacking resources have been devastated by injuries to Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus, the latter of whom will not play again this season owing to his ACL rupture.

As a result, the only two recognised strikers in Arteta's ranks are Kai Havertz and 22-year-old Nathan Butler-Oyedeji - who has not made a single senior appearance for the Gunners - and fans are crying out for reinforcements before the January window shuts.

The consensus is that Arsenal are paying the price for not adding a seasoned goalscorer to their ranks in the summer window, and Pennant has warned against simply splashing the cash on a striker for the sake of it.

"The injury of Saka is huge, it's looking like he probably won't be back until the start of March. He's obviously not going to be rushed in back in the starting 11, so I think they're going to need some firepower in some way, shape or form," Pennant told Sports Mole.

Pennant: 'Arsenal have needed a striker for four years'

"Does that mean going into the transfer market and just buying someone for the sake of buying? You've got to get the right person to fit their mould. But they've needed a striker for the past, three to four years.

"If someone's available, who they like, who they can get, then I don't think it's in their benefit waiting until the summer, they need someone in now."

Funds are expected to be made available for Arteta to strengthen the squad this month, but many of Arsenal's top attacking targets are expected to be unattainable during the January transfer window.

Among Arsenal's chief targets are Swedish duo Isak and Gyokeres, who have scored a sensational 50 goals between them in all competitions this season, 17 for the Newcastle man and 33 for Gyokeres.

If Arsenal are to bolster their attacking ranks in the summer as well as January, Pennant would like to see his former club make a concerted effort to sign Gyokeres over Isak, claiming that the former Coventry City man is "more established" than his compatriot.

'Arsenal need a no messing about striker'

"Newcastle are not letting Isak go in this month. Are they going to work for Arsenal? Who knows? That's up to Arteta, but I think Gyokeres will probably be the better bet out of the two. I think he's more established.

"He's ruthless. He's got an eye for goal. And literally, that's what Arsenal need, no messing about striker. Give me the ball, I will turn and bust one in the back of the net. That's how he plays. So, I think if they are going to go to get someone, I think Gyokeres is probably the better bet."

Even if Sporting do decide to open the floor to bids for Gyokeres, who is tied down to the Portuguese giants until 2028, Arsenal are expected to face intense competition from Ruben Amorim's Manchester United for his signature.

Other centre-forwards on the Gunners' radar supposedly include RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic, but the former's agent has poured cold water over the prospect of a winter transfer.

In addition, Arsenal are said to have failed with an offer to take Vlahovic on loan for the rest of the season, and there has been no significant progress made on any potential January arrivals with over half of the window gone.

Jermaine Pennant was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of William Hill.

Written by

Ben Knapton