TOP of the Premier League table at Christmas, Arsenal have since allowed their grip on first place to loosen with successive defeats to West Ham and Fulham.

Those results might have been different had the Gunners had a natural finisher to lead the line with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah both failing to provide the firepower Mikel Arteta needed in and around the penalty box.

Arsenal are genuine title challengers, but they lack a goalscoring centre forward who can be counted on to convert chances. Who could the North London club target to address that in January?

Serhou Guirassy (Stuttgart)

Harry Kane might be leading the Bundesliga scoring stakes this season, but Serhou Guirassy isn’t far behind him having scoring 17 goals in just 14 games for Stuttgart. The Guinean striker has been linked with several suitors including Manchester United, Newcastle United and West Ham and could be available for as little as £18m due to a release clause in his contract.

At 27, Guirassy’s signing would be a break from Arsenal’s current policy of buying young, but he could give the Gunners the cutting edge they need to win a Premier League title. The Stuttgart striker is good with both feet, knows how to find space inside the box and even carries a threat in the air.

Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)

Only Erling Haaland has scored more goals in the Premier League this season than Dominic Solanke. The Bournemouth striker has been in exceptional form and is finally fulfilling the potential he demonstrated earlier in his career at Liverpool, leading some to speculate that a January transfer could be in the pipeline.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be looking at Solanke, and it’s easy to see why – the 26-year-old is the sort of natural number nine Ange Postecoglou is lacking. However, he’d also fit well into the Arsenal team. With Bournemouth reportedly demanding a fee of at least £50m, though, the Gunners would have to weigh up just how highly they value Solanke.

Ivan Toney (Brentford)

Not so long ago, Ivan Toney appeared destined for a big-money move to one of the Premier League elite. He scored 20 goals in just 33 games for Brentford in the Premier League last season, sparking interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. A ban due to breaching betting rules, however, saw Toney spend eight months on the sidelines.

Toney will be available again this month and there could be renewed interest in the 27-year-old with the transfer window now open. There are questions over how quickly the Brentford striker will be able to find his best form again, but Toney would bring the sort of physical presence and finishing ability Arsenal need in the final third.

Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)

Arsenal’s interest in Dusan Vlahovic is a long-standing one. They wanted to sign the Serbian striker when he was at Fiorentina, but lost out as Juventus landed Vlahovic for €70 in the 2022 January transfer window. Two years on, the Gunners are reportedly still open to the idea of Vlahovic ending up at the Emirates Stadium.

Vlahovic has struggled to live up to his price tag at Juventus and so the Old Lady could cash in on the centre forward despite the fact he is a key figure for Max Allegri’s team. The 23-year-old has a reputation for being wasteful at times in front of goal, but he is an attacking focal point who puts himself in good positions to put the ball in the back of the net. Surrounded by better players, Vlahovic could find another level.

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