ARSENAL are set to make a call on whether or not to sign a new striker before Christmas.
The Gunners have lost star striker Gabriel Jesus to a knee injury, leaving Eddie Nketiah as the only striker in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Bosses at The Emirates will wait to assess all the players who have returned from the World Cup before deciding how to approach the January window.
Jesus is said to have responded well to surgery, with Arsenal having moved quickly to bring him back from the World Cup, though his recovery time is still unclear.
The former Manchester City striker picked up the knee injury in Brazil’s final group game against Cameroon and, after Arsenal director Edu liaised with the Brazilian federation, Jesus was back in London and going under the knife.
It was a break from usual protocol for Brazil, who usually like to keep injured players with the group for the remainder of the tournament, but both Arsenal and Jesus were keen to get the striker back to London and being his recovery as soon as possible.
Arteta could use Gabriel Martinelli, who will return to training this week, through the middle if needed while Emile Smith Rowe, who is continuing his recovery from groin surgery, could be used as a false nine.
But a move to find additional cover in the January market has not yet been ruled out.
Arsenal have long tracked Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhalo Mudryk, though were given a fresh warning over his price tag, told they will have to match the £100million Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish to land the 21-year-old.
Darijo Srna, director of football at Shakhtar, told Marca: “Who wants to sign Mudryk has to pay a big amount of money — otherwise our president will not sell him.
“Jack Grealish was sold for more than €100m and Mudryk’s level is not lower.”
Another option being considered by the Gunners is to recall on loan striker Folarin Balogun.
The England Under-21 striker is spending the season with Stade Reims in Ligue 1 and has eight goals and two assists in 15 appearances so far this season.
Arsenal are pleased with his progress and must consider whether it is worth bringing him back as cover or letting his development continue in France.
