Mikel Arteta is pushing to make a move in the January transfer window to bolster Arsenal's double glory hunt. The Gunners boss has made a top-class forward his No.1 priority and wants to strengthen the squad as they look to retain their Premier League title and win the Champions League.
Forward targets identified
Arsenal have Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi in their sights, but the Cherries do not want to sell in January. Arsenal are also likely to face competition from Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich for the player.
Arsenal also remain interested in Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, with Arteta seeing the forward area as a necessity to compete on two fronts.
Summer misses and squad needs
The club tried to sign Morgan Rogers and then Vinicius Junior in the summer but missed out on both. Ideally they want to strengthen the left flank but also want a versatile forward who can play in multiple positions.
The hope was that they would have enough options this season, but Arteta is keen on reinforcements in January to maintain their push for glory.
Current form and team news
Arsenal have made a strong start to their title defence, sitting three points clear at the top. They continue their push for European glory with a trip to Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
That could mean a start for teenager Max Dowman, 16, who is eligible in Europe despite his three-game domestic ban after Arsenal were unsuccessful in their appeal against his red card for the sending-off at Fleetwood.
Arteta was blunt in telling Dowman that "we are not in Disneyland" and he must adapt to the rigours of top-level football. However, Arteta has been quick to reassure Dowman, who could start on Wednesday night or be an option from the bench. There will be no hangover from the Fleetwood red card as the Gunners look to rotate through a tough run of three games in seven days.
There will be changes from Arsenal's win at Liverpool for the Champions League game on Wednesday night, while they face Hull City on Saturday.
William Saliba has been training back on the grass, and the France defender has been stepping up his progress as he closes in on a full comeback with the first team squad. Arteta has said that Saliba will be ready to return once they get the all-clear from medical checks on the back injury which has kept him out since the World Cup.
