Arsenal's chances of signing a first-choice striker this month are slim

Sami Mokbel has claimed that it may not be possible for Arsenal to sign a world class striker during the January transfer window as the club looks to stay within Financial Fair Play limits.

The Gunners spent big in the summer acquiring Declan Rice for £105million, Kai Havertz for £65m and Jurrien Timber for £40m.

Yet, they failed to bolster their options up top, with Mikel Arteta coming into the season relying on Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, the former of which has been sidelined for large parts of the season.

And Arsenal have once again been left sweating on the fitness of the Brazilian, who picked up a minor knee injury ahead of their clash against Liverpool earlier this week.

Mail Sport's chief football reporter, Mokbel, stated that the Brazilian would travel to Dubai this week with his team-mates during their winter break, with the club hopeful that he can return before their next game.

'It's going to be tough for them, Ian. As you said, you know, Gabriel Jesus has picked up a knee injury.

'They're hopeful that it isn't too bad. They go to Dubai this week for some R&R after, because obviously they've got this midwinter break, they haven't got a game this weekend.

'So he'll be going on that and they'll be hoping that he can he can recover from this knee problem before their next game on January 20 against Crystal Palace.

'But it's a problem and it's a long-term problem for them and it's one they're going to have to solve. As I said last week, I think it's difficult to solve that problem this month because of their FFP limits etc. They spent a lot in the summer.

'And it's a signing that they've got to get right. It's not one that, oh let's get someone in through the door. They need a recognised and they need a first choice No 9.

'I'm not sure that is going to be obtainable this month. So I think for the short term, for the time being until the rest of the season, it is likely that they're just gonna have to make do with what they've got. And the interesting thing that Arteta said yesterday was he almost alluded to the fact that he almost stuck it on himself.

'He's saying, "It's not about spending money, it's about improving the players that I have." And I thought that was rather pointed in the terms of, he's telling, I think he's telling the supporters that, look, don't expect anything this month because it's just financially not going to be possible.'

Arsenal have fallen off the pace in the Premier League title race of late, dropping to fourth in the league, five points behind Liverpool.

They were knocked out of the FA Cup by the Reds on Sunday afternoon, with the Gunners struggling to convert their chances. Havertz notably missed several opportunities, with the game emphasising further that Arsenal are missing an out-and-out goal scorer.

But when quizzed on whether it would be worth going into the market to secure an experienced forward on loan, both Mokbel and Sutton said that a loan move may just be plugging a gap.

'Very quickly, is there not even a loan we're not even a loan No 9 out there?', Ian Ladyman asked on the podcast.

'Even Manchester United last year, I know it didn't work out for them, but Manchester United got Wout Weghorst in January just to fill a hole? I mean is there just not even a an inkling of that well?'

But Mokbel replied: 'What would be the point though? If, you know, in getting someone in on a loan, when you, okay, you've spoken about Eddie Nketiah today, but, you know, Eddie Nketiah, he's still an England international.

'I agree with Chris [Sutton] that it looks like Mikel Arteta doesn't necessarily trust him. But just getting someone in through the door for the sake of it doesn't make much sense to me particularly when they need to spend money in other areas.

'We said last week about a defender and potentially a midfielder. If one comes available, towards the end of January, then, yeah, I think they'd be open to doing that.

'But right now, one week into the transfer window, I think a lot of clubs are holding their cars really close to their chest and at the moment it doesn't look like there's going to be much movement in terms of a striker at Arsenal right now.'

Sutton added: 'The loan thing, Ian, can I just cut in the loan thing? You know, I sort of understand what you're saying to a tiny degree, but it's got to be better than what they've got.

'You know, we're talking about Arsenal trying to trying to win the Premier League, aren't we? And that's the issue. So how can how can you get a loan player in of incredible quality who wants to sign for Arsenal in January?

'That's that's nigh on impossible, isn't it? You mentioned the Weghorst thing thing, but you know, that was plugging a gap. Arsenal need more than that. They need the golden egg, Ian.'