Arsenal are facing the prospect of contesting the remainder of the Premier League season with out a recognised striker after an enormous injury blow to Kai Havertz.
The Gunners were hoping to push the pause button with a warm-weather training tip to Dubai after a busy period of the season contesting on multiple fronts.
Nonetheless, Mikel Arteta’s side have as a substitute been hit with more injury woes after Havertz sustained a hamstring injury on the finals day of the trip.
Reports now suggest that the German international will miss the remainder of the season, meaning Arsenal haven’t any fit recognised striker following Gabriel Jesus’ ACL injury in January.
And with Bukayo Saka still working his way back from a serious hamstring injury and Gabriel Martinelli also set for a spell on the treatment table, Arsenal now have just three fit forwards in Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling.
The Gunners made no bones about their desire to sign a striker within the January transfer window but did not get a deal over the road.
Deals for Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko were never likely mid-season, while the club were rebuffed by Aston Villa after their Eleventh-hour approach for Ollie Watkins.
With the transfer window now closed until the summer, Arsenal cannot reignite their interest in any of their top targets.
Nonetheless, the Gunners may perhaps give serious consideration to dipping into the free agency market to offer temporary cover and a recognised striker who could offer some support up top.
While not of their prime anymore, listed here are 4 ageing veterans who Arsenal could turn their desperate hand to.
Diego Costa
Most memorably known for terrifying Premier League defences at Chelsea, Costa has been a free agent for the reason that start of January after leaving Brazilian side Gremio.
While notching up eight goals in 26 appearances in all competitions last 12 months, Costa’s problems with injury saw him out and in of the Brazillian side.
Back at Stamford Bridge, Costa scored 59 goals in 120 appearances as he helped the Blues win two league titles.
The physicial striker was seen back within the English top flight in 2022 with Wolves but he managed only a single goal in in 25 appearances.
Mariano Diaz
Often remembered as a bit-part player for Real Madrid during his two spells with the Spanish giants, Marino was once coveted by a bunch of top European clubs, including Arsenal.
The Dominican Republic international scored 18 goals within the 2017/18 campaign having left Real for Lyon before swiftly returning to Spanish capital.
Nonetheless, with Karim Benzama still ahead of him within the pecking order, Mariano managed just six goals in his five seasons back at Real before joining Sevilla in 2023.
Now 31, the striker has been with out a club for the reason that end of last season having been released after failing to attain in 13 appearances in all competitions.
Maxi Gomez
The youngest of the potential options at a sprightly 28, Maxi Gomez has been with out a club since leaving Trabzonspor in the summertime.
Gomez scored seven goals in 34 appearances in all competitions back in 2022/23 for the Turkish side but did not rating in 31 league appearances while on loan at Cadiz last season.
Prior to that, the Uruguayan spent 4 seasons at Valancia scoring 23 in 109 appearances.
Perhaps more impressively, he scored scored 30 league goals in his two seasons at Celta Vigo, although that got here back between 2017 and 2019.
Wissam Ben Yedder
Wissam Ben Yedder is maybe probably the most prolific of the available free agents having scored 20 goals in all competitions for Monaco last season.
The Frenchman has been a free agent for the reason that summer, but recent reports have linked him with a move to Serie A side Venezia.
In total, the 34-year-old has 282 goals in 555 appearances, including a formidable 118 in 201 games during his five seasons at Monaco.
In November last 12 months, Ben Yedder was given a suspended two-year prison sentence after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a lady.
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