Mikel Arteta has some tough choices to make.
This is exactly the kind of setback Mikel Arteta would have wanted to avoid. After taking his squad on a training camp to Dubai last week, the Arsenal boss was likely hoping his players would return refreshed and ready to push Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
Instead, Arteta has been dealt another major injury blow, with Kai Havertz ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring issue. With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli already on the sidelines, Arsenal’s attacking options are now looking worryingly thin.
Given that the transfer window is now shut until the summer, the club may be forced to explore the free-agent market for reinforcements. Here are four available strikers who could provide a short-term solution for the Gunners.
Wissam Ben Yedder
At 34, Ben Yedder is past his prime, but his goal-scoring record last season—20 goals across all competitions before leaving Monaco—proves he still knows how to find the net. A club legend at the Ligue 1 side, he netted 118 times in 201 appearances.
He also boasts experience at the highest level, having played for Sevilla in La Liga and earned 19 caps for France. However, his off-field controversies—including a two-year suspended sentence for multiple offenses—could make any potential deal complicated. While he remains an effective striker, the negative media attention and potential damage to Arsenal’s reputation may make this move too risky.
Carlos Vela
A name familiar to Arsenal fans, Vela was part of the Gunners setup from 2005 to 2012, making 64 appearances while spending time on loan elsewhere.
Now a free agent after a seven-year stint in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles FC, where he scored 93 goals in 188 matches, the 35-year-old could offer Arsenal an experienced backup option. Having also enjoyed a successful spell with Real Sociedad in La Liga, he might relish one last shot at the Premier League.
Lucas Perez
Another former Arsenal player, Perez netted seven times in 21 games during the 2016/17 season. His well-traveled career saw him later play for West Ham in the 2018/19 campaign, scoring six goals.
Most recently, the 36-year-old was playing in Spain’s third division with Deportivo La Coruña. While he would be a last-resort option, sometimes desperate situations call for desperate measures.
Diego Costa
A proven Premier League goal scorer with title-winning experience, Costa could be an option for Arsenal after being released by Brazilian club Grêmio last year. Despite being 36, his physical presence and tenacity remain valuable assets, as shown during his time at Chelsea, where he bagged 59 goals in 120 appearances.
However, his short stint with Wolves suggested his Premier League days might be behind him. If Arsenal were to bring him in, he would likely only serve as a late-game impact player, providing a physical presence when chasing a goal.
