Unai Emery may be forced to enter the January transfer market when in opens following a long-term injury to Danny Welbeck.
The England forward suffered an ankle break earlier in the month in a Europa League game against Sporting Lisbon and its unclear as to when he will return to action.
Welbeck’s injury has depleted Emery’s attacking options somewhat as he was mainly deployed in the wide positions of the front three. Despite the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette playing in this position none are fully comfortable and prefer other roles in the side.
Emery’s main aim is to secure a top four finish to qualify for the Champions League next season, so the Spaniard will need to feel that he has a squad capable of doing so and hope that no other players pick up injuries.
So, with Welbeck sidelined, a replacement would be ideal to fill the void left by the former Manchester United forward.
But who can Arsenal realistically attempt to sign this January?
Well, here are three forwards the Gunners could target and potentially bring in this winter:
Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)
The 27-year-old is reportedly seeking a move away from the Bernabeu after growing frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities he has received this season.
Vazquez has started just two La Liga games so far this season and Spanish publication Don Balon claims the forward may ask to leave this January in order to gain regular first-team football. The report also adds that a bid in the region of £26million could prise him away from the Bernabeu.
Vazquez can also play in the right-back position as well and is a player who likes to take on opposition full-backs.
Emery could look to the Spaniard to fill Welbeck’s position and the Spaniard wouldn’t baulk at the £26million asking price. Another option could be to sign him on a temporary basis if Emery is unwilling to splash the cash on the Real Madrid winger.
Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)
The France international was signed from Borussia Dortmund for a staggering £135.5million in August 2017 but has failed to cement a starting role mainly due to fitness problems and struggling to life adapt to life in Spain. However, reports have suggested that the Catalan club are unhappy with the 21-year-old’s lack of professionalism which has led to him being benched on several occasions.
Arsenal’s head of recruitment Sven Mislintat knows Dembele very well having signed him for Dortmund from Rennes when he was apart of the Bundesliga club’s set-up and is a major boost in the Gunners potentially signing him in the future. Arsenal will also look to Aubameyang to help them seal the deal having played each other at Dortmund in the past.
Barcelona have since rubbished reports of a rift between the club and Dembele and warned off potential suitors.
It looks highly unlikely that Arsenal will buy him outright this January, but a loan deal could be on the cards.
Cengiz Under (Roma)
Arsenal are reportedly looking into the idea of signing the 21-year-old forward with Mkhitaryan failing to impress this season at the Emirates.
Reports have suggested that the Gunners sent scouts to watch Under in action all season at the Stadio Olimpico and will approach Roma over a possible move this January.
However, with Roma rating the Turkish right-winger highly, it is believed that a huge offer would have to be tabled this January to even consider a sale this winter.
Under has supposedly attracted interest from the Premier League, with Tottenham and Manchester City also keeping tabs on his development.
Under has scored three goals and five assists in 14 games so far this season and has spoken of his desire to play in the Premier League, so this will go for Arsenal and those interested in his services.
He is valued at around £44.5million which looks a bit much, but he certainly has bags of potential and could prove to be a bargain in this day and age in football at that price.
