Arsenal Transfer : Top four Mikel Arteta’s January striker transfer targets as Arsenal’s pursuit striker aims to bolster their chances in the Premier League title race…

Arsenal is targeting strikers in the transfer market to reinforce their efforts in the Premier League title competition.

Arsenal is still in contention for the Premier League title, even as they appear to be lagging behind in their quest for success, particularly following Manchester City’s significant setback due to Rodri’s season-ending injury.

Liverpool’s resurgence under Arne Slot has allowed them to gain an edge over their rivals, but Arsenal has shown signs of life, scoring five goals against both West Ham and Sporting CP, following a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.

The return of key players Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard has reinvigorated the squad.

Despite this recent scoring spree, Arsenal’s primary requirement remains a prolific striker who embodies the traditional No. 9 role.

The club did not secure such a player during the summer transfer window, opting instead to bring in veteran Raheem Sterling from Chelsea.

With that in mind, let’s explore three potential striker targets for Arsenal in the January 2025 transfer window, who could significantly enhance their title challenge against a formidable Liverpool team.

Dusan Vlahovic, Juventus

Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus has struggled against top-tier teams this season, leading Arsenal supporters to question whether he would perform better in their setup, given his lackluster displays for the Bianconeri in crucial matches.

However, Vlahovic is part of a Juventus team that is less talented and more flawed compared to Arsenal.

His primary support comes from Kenan Yildiz, who is still developing and does not fit the profile well outside of the No. 10 position.

Vlahovic frequently finds himself in the position of having to shoulder the team’s offensive burden and generate scoring opportunities on his own.

Observing his play reveals numerous instances of his technical brilliance, leading one to believe that in a team like Arsenal, complemented by a midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Mikel Merino, along with creative wingers such as Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka, he would be able to showcase his talents more effectively.

The inconsistency in Vlahovic’s performance, particularly against top-tier teams, can often be attributed to the circumstances surrounding him.

Juventus struggles significantly in creating chances when up against stronger defenses, which impacts his ability to perform consistently.

Once regarded as the second-most sought-after striker in European football, trailing only Erling Haaland—who set a Premier League goal-scoring record in his debut season with Manchester City—Vlahovic has maintained a high profile.

Arsenal’s interest in Vlahovic since 2022 is well-founded.

He meets all the criteria: at 24 years old, he has a proven track record with 21 goals in the 2020/21 season, along with impressive size, athleticism, and finishing skills.

If Juventus is willing to part with him, which may depend on securing a replacement during the winter transfer window, a reasonable transfer fee could be the only barrier to Vlahovic joining Arsenal in January.

He is likely to be more affordable than either Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres, suggesting that if Vlahovic is eager to leave Turin and Juventus is ready to pursue a different option, a transfer could be imminent.

Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP should be a prime target for Arsenal.

One might speculate whether the Gunners would currently be leading the Premier League title race had they signed the Sporting CP star last summer instead of hesitating on striker acquisitions after Benjamin Sesko chose to remain in Leipzig.

Gyokeres has undoubtedly enhanced his value this season with outstanding performances for both Sporting and the Swedish national team.

The 26-year-old forward has netted 16 goals in just 11 Liga NOS matches this season, positioning himself to surpass his previous record of 29 goals in the 2023/24 campaign.

Moreover, it is important to recognize that Gyokeres is a well-rounded striker.

He recorded 10 assists last season and ranks in the 99th percentile among all forwards for both shot-creating actions and successful dribbles.

As a smooth dribbler and astute No. 9, Gyokeres offers the goal-scoring potential that Arsenal has been missing since the peak of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while also matching the creativity of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

While Arsenal has several capable players who can play as No. 9s, they will continue to face challenges in securing the crucial points needed to claim the Premier League title until they acquire a player who can consistently score 20 goals a season and alleviate pressure on the wingers.

The key issue regarding Gyokeres is his availability in January 2025, as it remains uncertain whether Sporting will choose to wait until next season to sell him.

The allure of the Champions League, especially with its new format, may tempt smaller clubs like Sporting to retain their most valuable player, who notably scored a hat trick against defending Premier League champions Manchester City in that competition.

For a more budget-friendly option worth considering as a potential starting striker, Arsenal could revisit Ligue 1 to scout Lille’s Jonathan David.

He has been linked to a transfer for several years, including speculation about a move to Real Madrid during Karim Benzema’s tenure in 2022, yet David has not yet made a significant transfer out of France.

The Canadian international has evolved into a more versatile player and now benefits from the presence of another exceptional forward in the often-overlooked right winger Edon Zhegrova, who would fit seamlessly into a prestigious club like Arsenal.

David possesses a significant physical presence that he effectively utilizes to shield defenders, allowing him to take shots himself and create opportunities for teammates, reminiscent of Haaland’s style at Dortmund.

At just 24 years old, David has netted 24 and 19 goals in his previous two Ligue 1 seasons and is currently achieving a career-best average of 0.69 goals per 90 minutes in the ongoing 2024/25 season.

While Arsenal could opt to wait until next summer to sign David on a free transfer, they may prefer to act sooner if they are looking to strengthen their squad immediately.

By offering Lille a modest fee to secure his services and prevent him from leaving for free, Arsenal could expedite the transfer process, with estimates suggesting that a sum of around 25 million pounds could facilitate the deal.