Arsenal’s season, which once showed immense promise, has now been derailed by a series of injuries that have left Mikel Arteta’s squad struggling for attacking options. The situation has worsened significantly, with key players sidelined at a crucial time in their title challenge. The latest blow comes with Kai Havertz’s injury, ruling him out for the rest of the season, adding to the team’s growing problems in the final third.
Havertz’s absence only adds to an already dire situation. Gabriel Jesus has also been ruled out for the season, leaving a massive gap in Arsenal’s attacking lineup. Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka is still in recovery from hamstring surgery, delaying his return to action. To make matters even worse, Gabriel Martinelli has also picked up an injury and is expected to be out for at least a month, compounding Arsenal’s crisis.
With three of their main attacking players unavailable, Arteta is left with limited options up front. Arsenal had the opportunity to reinforce their squad in the January transfer window, but they failed to secure any signings despite being linked with several high-profile forwards. A potential move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins fell through, and in the end, the club decided against making any last-minute emergency additions.
Now that the transfer window has closed, Arsenal’s only option is to look at free agents. While none of the available options are particularly exciting, they may provide some much-needed cover for the remainder of the season. Arteta will have to carefully assess whether any of these players could offer a temporary solution to Arsenal’s depleted attack.
The free agent pool lacks elite talent, but some experienced forwards remain available. One possibility is Mariano Diaz, a former Real Madrid player now searching for a club after leaving Sevilla. Despite playing a role in Madrid’s Champions League-winning campaigns, he never established himself as a consistent starter. His experience at the top level could be valuable, though doubts remain about his reliability.
Another potential signing is Maxi Gómez, a Uruguayan striker with a solid La Liga record. Gómez scored 50 goals during his time with Celta Vigo and Valencia, but his form has dipped in recent seasons. His recent spells at Trabzonspor and Cádiz were underwhelming, raising questions about whether he could still perform at a high level.
Other options include former Arsenal forward Carlos Vela, who became a star in Major League Soccer but has not played since leaving Los Angeles FC in October 2024. At 35, his ability to handle the physicality of the Premier League is uncertain. Another ex-Arsenal player, Lucas Perez, could also be considered, but at 36, he is nearing the end of his career and may not be interested in a return.
Arsenal could also take a chance on Diego Costa, a once-dominant but now declining striker. Costa had a lackluster spell with Wolves in 2022 and recently left Gremio. His aggressive style might add some intensity to Arsenal’s attack, but his fitness and effectiveness at the highest level are questionable. Leandro Damião, a 35-year-old Brazilian forward who was once linked with a move to England, is another possibility, though he has been out of competitive action for months.
Arsenal’s decision to avoid a January signing has put them in a difficult position, forcing them to consider uninspiring free-agent options. While none of these players offer a perfect solution, adding an experienced forward could at least provide some temporary relief. With their attacking options severely limited, Arteta must decide quickly if a short-term addition is necessary to keep Arsenal’s title hopes alive.
Leave a Reply