Up front
We need another striker in the January transfer window without question. Welbeck, Giroud and Walcott are great options when fit, however, all three are form players, and with us chasing the title neither can be relied upon 100% to score goals week in week out. The injury situation with Welbeck and Walcott has highlighted just how thin we are up top and with us chasing the title, being so reliant on Giroud is dangerous.
I am a big fan of all three players – Welbeck’s injury is a big blow as he is our most complete and versatile striker. Theo was excellent before his injury and deserves to keep the striking role. But with him being injury prone, we are left with out only Giroud as our recognised striker. Whisper it, but what would happen in Giroud took a knock now?
The Frenchman has been fantastic since being benched a few weeks ago and responded with 7 goals in 8 games. But his two glaring misses against Spurs cost us points and summed up the perception that he is just not quite good enough for us to rely upon. It was the kind of finishing which saw him dropped for Walcott in the first place. Him as the only option dictates our style of play with a target man approach rather than the movement and speed of Walcott.
Arsene essentially has two routes he can down in January to address the striking role: 1. Buy a world class superstar who will come straight into the first team like Benzema, Cavani or Higuain, or 2. buy a solid prospect in the mould of Kokorin or Lacazette, who would provide solid backup to the other strikers.
It’s a tough call for Arsene, but we have the money to go all for the best. If he doesn’t sign a striker and we throw away our best chance to win the league in years because of injury or lack of options up front, Gooners won’t forgive him in a hurry.