Arsene Wenger last night insisted he is still in the market for a striker – even if his injury crisis is getting better.
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner will resume full training on Monday while French under-21 striker Yaya Sanogo is due to join up a week later after his long-running back problem.
That is a huge boost for Arsenal boss Wenger who is understood to be now looking at doing a loan deal because he fears he will not be able to get one of his first choice targets in January.
Juventus are ready to sell Mirko Vucinic but are not interested in a loan at the moment while Schalke do not want to sell Julian Draxler this month.
Wenger has insisted they are “not especially interested” in Vucinic.
Wenger said: “Ideally if it’s possible we’d like another (striker). I give you my phone number, if you find an exceptional (player), you can call me over the weekend. Ideally, though we have not found anyone.
“We are open to strengthening our squad if it’s possible. But as well we have Bendtner back in the squad on Monday. Sanogo is back in the squad on Monday week.
“But for us, it’s important to know everybody can score. Ramsey is a goalscorer and he’s not playing at the moment. Arteta can get us a goal and he’s not playing. That’s very positive, I think.
“That’s the best thing that can happen for us. If you depend on one player then you have to put him in cotton wool to keep him fit.”
Jack Wilshere also believes that Olivier Giroud is proving that they do not need Dimitar Berbatov and people are under estimating Arsenal’s squad.
Arsenal midfielder Wilshere said: “He’s (Berbatov) a great player. He has played for Manchester United. Players who don’t have ability don’t play for Man United.
“But he is a Fulham player so I can’t talk about him. We have Olivier, who has been great for us this season. If we can keep him fit we have a chance.
“People underestimate our squad. We have a lot of talent in there. Look at the bench – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for England, Podolski, Vermaelen isn’t even on there because he’s injured.
“We have to rotate sometimes and we do. Mikel comes in and I go out or to the right and that is important. If we are going to win the championship that is what we are going to have to do.”
Another of Arsenal’s January’s targets, Real Madrid starlet Alvaro Morata, is staying in Spain.
Morata said: “I have spoken to Carlo Ancelotti and know I am part of his plans. I am committed to succeeding at Real Madrid.”
Written by Steve Milne
