27 February 2023 , 07:58
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If Gabriel Jesus ' injury has proved anything to Arsenal, it might be that the Gunners need another addition in the striking department sooner rather than later.
Mikel Arteta's men are currently two points clear at the top of the Premier League and if Arsenal wish to become a side that challenges for titles on a regular basis, they may wish to bolster their attacking options. Eddie Nketiah has done a good job deputising for the crocked Jesus, but the goals have dried up for the England Under-21 ace.
Manchester City are currently chomping at the heels of the Gunners and their own striking options are incredibly strong. Having both of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to call upon could well be what gets City over the line in the end and pip Arsenal to the post in regards to the title.
It is for that reason that Arteta could read Lautaro Martinez's most recent comments with some intrigue. Arsenal have been linked with a move for the Argentine on a number of occasions before and it now seems as if the striker is angling for a move away from Inter Milan.
After a shock 1-0 defeat by Bologna meant that Inter now sit 18 points adrift of Serie A leaders Napoli, Martinez did not hold back in his assessment of his own side's shortcomings.
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"It would be wrong to talk too much in the heat of the moment, but the sensation I have right now is that we’ll get nowhere playing like this," he told Sky Sport Italia.
Lautaro Martinez was dejected following Inter's latest defeatHAVE YOUR SAY! Should Arsenal try to sign Martinez in the summer? Comment below
"We need to be more consistent, we just played a great game in the Champions League, we arrive here fired up and then put in this performance. We’ve got to get our heads up and push forward, because we’ll get nowhere like this.
"We are 18 points behind Napoli, so clearly something is not working."
Arsenal viewed Martinez as a potential option before they signed Jesus, but the Brazilian's presence does not rule out another pursuit of the Inter ace.
As mentioned, City have two sensational striking options to call upon and the Gunners may need to try and have the same if they are to go toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola's side over the course of the coming campaigns.
Arsenal's last league outing at Leicester saw them forced to play Leandro Trossard in a false nine role when the Belgian is usually more of a wide-player, purely because with Nketiah on the bench there was no other obvious striking alternative.
Martinez' contract at Inter does not expire until the summer of 2026, but depending on how Arsenal's season finishes this term the Gunners could be willing to fork out quite the fee to improve their attack.