Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta needs a new number nine in North London and should look to the loan market during the January transfer window, Gunners legend Ray Parlour believes.
Arteta's side currently have Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus battling for starts in the number nine slot; the latter has recently revived his stalling Arsenal career with six goals in his last four appearances.
Jesus was on target in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over London rivals Brentford, which Havertz missed through illness, although he will likely be back in contention for Saturday's trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.
While Havertz has done "really well" in attack for Arsenal, Parlour still believes that his former side could do with strengthening their offensive options, telling Sports Mole: "I do believe Arsenal need reinforcements in the striker position.
"In our teams we had four top strikers and all of them were ready to take their chance when they played. [Thierry] Henry and [Dennis] Bergkamp were the main ones, but [Sylvain] Wiltord and Kanu were equally as important to the team."
Parlour: 'Havertz cannot play every game for Arsenal'
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Thanks to Jesus's unexpected revival at the tip of the Arsenal attack, Havertz has been forced to accept starts in midfield against Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace before coming down with a sickness bug.
The Germany international initially started out as a left eight in the Arsenal system, replacing Granit Xhaka following his 2023 switch to Bayer Leverkusen, but he struggled to impose himself in the engine room.
Havertz soon found success at the tip of the Arsenal attack and has already managed 12 goals in 25 matches across all competitions this season, netting in back-to-back appearances in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Jesus's resurgence has also eased the pressure on the Arsenal board to add a new centre-forward during the January window, but Parlour would like to see the Gunners consider a temporary deal.
"Havertz is doing really well, but you can't expect him to play every game. January is always difficult to buy a striker, but Arsenal could look to the loan market, if Mikel Arteta feels that he can secure the right option," the former Premier League winner added.
Which strikers could Arsenal sign on loan in January?
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Parlour's sentiment has been echoed by fellow Gooners, including expert and esteemed journalist Charles Watts, who would like to see Arsenal move for an "X-factor" forward of any position following Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury.
In terms of loan targets for January, Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani is seemingly the most attainable target, as it has been claimed that Arsenal will be offered the chance to sign him on a temporary deal.
Kolo Muani has only managed two goals in 14 appearances for PSG in the current campaign, but Arsenal might have to fend off interest from both Manchester United and Liverpool to land the Frenchman.
Marcus Rashford's desire to leave Man United is also out in the open, while Joshua Zirkzee could also try to revive his career elsewhere, but the Red Devils will likely be reluctant to do business with a Premier League rival.
Alexander Isak, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres have all been linked with transfers to North London too, but winter loan moves for any member of the quartet are seen as virtually impossible.
Ray Parlour was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of NetBet Sports Betting.
Ben Knapton
