Mikel Arteta advised on Arsenal's striker search as contract talks advance well

12 January 2024 , 04:00

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Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are currently enjoying a mid-season spot of warm weather training in Dubai as they aim to return a stronger outfit.

The Gunners have lost three games on the bounce across all competitions for the first time in two years and as a result have seen their FA Cup hopes dashed and title credentials questioned. There has been plenty of speculation over who Arteta could look to bring in before the January transfer window closes, but for now he's putting the players he does have through their paces.

A league game against Crystal Palace at home awaits Arsenal as their first taste of action for when they return, before two particularly tricky fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool follow.

With that in mind, here are some of the main transfer talking points surrounding the Gunners on Friday, January 12.

Arteta receives striker advice

Arsenal's need for a new striker is well-documented and a number of names have been touted with a move to the Emirates to take up the position.

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Brentford talisman Ivan Toney has long been the favourite to lead the line in north London, but Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have urged Arsenal to make a move for Napoli star Victor Osimhen instead.

Mikel Arteta advised on Arsenal's striker search as contract talks advance well

Mikel Arteta has been told which striker he shoud sign (Getty Images)

Discussing Arsenal’s dream signing, Gary Lineker told The Rest Is Football podcast: "[They need] a striker like most…" before Shearer interjected with: "Osimhen!"

Ex-Manchester City and England defender Richards added: "Osimhen would be my one for Arsenal."

Contract talks progressing

Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to sign a new deal at Arsenal soon (Getty Images)

Arsenal hope to extend the stay of right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu and it is believed that negotiations between the two parties are progressing well.

Having joined in the summer of 2021, Tomiyasu has been one of the Gunners' more underrated servants, though injury issues have often thwarted him during periods of stellar form.

Prior to his most recent injury, Tomiyasu was being linked with the likes of AC Milan, Roma and Napoli. He is currently unavailable to the Gunners having been called up to the Japan national team for the Asia Cup.

While it is now widely expected that Tomiyasu will extend his stay at the Emirates, the strcuture of the new contract still needs clarifiying and could still be weeks away from being signed.

Toney wants to "repay" Brentford

Ivan Toney is closing in on his Brentford return amid rumours of a move to Arsenal (Getty Images)

The Brentford talisman has discussed how grateful he is for the support from his club while serving an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting regulations.

Toney's comments certainly don't read like a man who wants out of Brentford anytime soon, despite the rumours regarding a move to Arsenal.

In an exclusive interview with Mirror Football, Toney said: "They (Brentford) have been nothing but amazing for me. I can't thank them enough, especially the fans. They were behind me from the first minute as well. So it's kind of like I have a lot to repay."