Arsenal open to making striker transfer in January to replace injured Gabriel Jesus with Mykhaylo Mudryk targeted

ARSENAL are open to signing a new striker to ensure their title bid doesn’t fall flat.

The Gunners currently top the Premier League Christmas tree by five points but have seen their firepower decrease thanks to an injury to Gabriel Jesus.

Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli are in line to fill in for Jesus, although manager Mikel Arteta is refusing to rule out dipping into the transfer market to help alleviate the problem.

The Spaniard said of Jesus’ injury: “It’s a huge blow for us, obviously.

“He’s such an important player: he’s brought something very different to the team and it’s impossible to replace him.

“But we have other players, other alternatives and we’ll try to get that sorted.

“The transfer window is another option.

“I think [Jesus] is a unique player but Eddie [Nketiah] has incredible qualities as well for the way we want to play.

“We have other alternatives in that we can play Martinelli up front as well.

“We are currently a little bit short in terms of upfront positions but getting Emile [Smith Rowe] back is going to be a big one.”;

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Shakhtar Donestk youngster Mykhaylo Mudryk was on the north Londoners’ radar in the summer and is still wanted by Arteta.

The Ukrainian club’s deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini told TVPlay: “Today, Mudryk has been told, like all other players, to present himself for the training in Antalya on the 9th of January.

“There is interest from Arsenal, I cannot deny it.”;

He added: “Many clubs have taken an indirect interest in Mudryk, without an official offer.

“There have been a lot of phone calls.

“I believe that today the Italian teams find it difficult to take a profile like this, both for what it is worth and for the lack of courage in investing in such a profile.”;

Shakhtar will demand a minimum of £85million for the 21-year-old forward.

Arsenal will resume their Premier League campaign on Boxing Day, welcoming West Ham to the Emirates.