Mikel Arteta isn’t discounting a foray into the free agent market for Arsenal after injury ruled Kai Havertz out for the rest of the season.
The Gunners’ striking department, already stretched thin with talisman Bukayo Saka a major casualty alongside Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, took another hit when their top scorer Havertz pulled up during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
The German international is the club’s only true senior striker on the books, placing Arteta in a tight spot.
With the club failing to bring in any reinforcements in the January window, Arteta has to consider his next move; whether that’s deploying someone out of their usual role or bringing in an unexpected new face.
Questioned about considering free agents on Friday, Arteta said: “We’ll explore every possible situation and make a decision from there.”
Despite Arteta and Arsenal being open to scouring the free agent pool, it’s uncertain if they will find suitable candidates willing to jump in amidst the team’s struggles, reports the Mirror.
One name on the list of potential temporary fixes is former Arsenal player Carlos Vela, 35, who is currently without a club and could help address the shortfall upfront.
Diego Costa, once a Chelsea powerhouse, brings Premier League savvy but had a less-than-stellar spell with Wolves last year, raising questions about his ability to make a difference now.
Leandro Damiao, Lucas Perez, Mariano Diaz, and Maxi Gomez are among the strikers currently without a club. However, none of them would be deemed fit to spearhead Arsenal’s attack under normal circumstances, highlighting the quandary facing Arteta and his team.
Arteta has emphasised that any free agent must be capable of “playing at our level” and adding value both on and off the field. When questioned about whether not signing a forward in January was a misstep, in retrospect, Arteta admitted the vulnerability of the situation.
“We always put in that situation that we were one or two injuries away from a very risky situation,” he said. “But when you try your best and think you have done everything you are capable of and have done your homework and try that and don’t achieve it you can have regrets but at least you know you have done it.”
