Arsenal Football Club has been facing significant challenges due to injuries to some of their key players, and the situation has only worsened as the club heads into the latter stages of the 2024/25 season. Among the most notable injuries was the loss of Bukayo Saka, who sustained a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for several months. This setback was a significant blow for Arsenal, as Saka has been one of their most consistent and impactful players in recent seasons. His absence from the squad has undoubtedly left a void in the team’s attacking options.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, the injury to Saka was not the only problem the club encountered. Just when the team was hoping to recover from this setback, they suffered another major blow with the injury to Gabriel Jesus, another key player in their offensive line. Jesus has been in excellent form for the Gunners, playing a central role in their attack, but a serious knee injury, specifically an ACL tear, has ruled him out for the majority of 2025. This has left Arsenal in a very precarious situation, as they now find themselves without two of their most influential attacking players for an extended period.
The combination of these injuries has made it clear that Arsenal will need to bolster their attacking options if they want to remain competitive in the Premier League and other competitions. With both Saka and Jesus out for the foreseeable future, Mikel Arteta, the head coach of Arsenal, has been forced to reassess his options and consider the possibility of bringing in new talent to fill the void left by these injuries. In response to the growing crisis, Arteta has suggested that the club may explore the transfer market in January to strengthen their squad and ensure they can maintain their push for success in the 2024/25 season.
One name that has emerged as a potential target for Arsenal is Viktor Gyokeres, the Swedish forward currently playing for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. Gyokeres has been in excellent form this season, contributing to a total of 38 goals and assists across all competitions, which has attracted the attention of several top clubs in Europe, including those in the Premier League. His impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, and several top clubs are reportedly keen on signing him, but it is Arsenal who are said to be at the forefront of the race for his signature.
According to reports, Arsenal is willing to trigger Gyokeres’ release clause, which stands at £84 million, to secure his services before the end of the January transfer window. This would represent a significant investment for the club, but given the current injury crisis and the need for a striker, it could prove to be a worthwhile move. Gyokeres’ form has been outstanding this season, and many believe that he could provide the firepower Arsenal needs to maintain their challenge for top honors in the Premier League and other competitions. The Swedish international’s arrival would add depth and quality to the squad, providing Arteta with another attacking option in a season where injuries have left Arsenal thin on the ground in terms of attacking talent.
However, despite Arsenal’s apparent willingness to meet the £84 million release clause, a January move for Gyokeres is unlikely to materialize. According to reports, Gyokeres has informed his agent that he wants to see out the remainder of the 2024/25 season with Sporting Lisbon before making any decisions about his future. This means that while Arsenal and other clubs are interested in securing his services, they may have to wait until the summer to make a formal move for the forward. Gyokeres is reportedly open to moving to a new club in the summer, but for the time being, he is focused on finishing the current season with Sporting Lisbon.
This development leaves Arsenal in a difficult position. With Gyokeres unlikely to join in January, the club may have to look for alternative options to strengthen their attacking options in the short term. Given the urgency of the situation, Arsenal may need to focus on finding a temporary or low-cost solution to fill the void left by the injuries to Saka and Jesus. There are several players who have been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent weeks, but whether they will be willing to move in January remains to be seen.
One player who has been linked with a move to Arsenal is Benjamin Sesko, a talented young forward currently playing for RB Leipzig in Germany. Sesko has been highly regarded for his potential and has attracted interest from several top clubs, including Arsenal. However, there are concerns that Leipzig may not be willing to let go of the player halfway through the season, especially given the importance of Sesko to their squad. This means that a move for Sesko in January is unlikely, and Arsenal may have to look elsewhere for a solution.
Another option that has been discussed is the possibility of bringing in Randal Kolo Muani on loan. The French forward has been in good form for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, and there were reports suggesting that Arsenal were interested in bringing him in on a temporary basis. However, it appears that Juventus has stolen a march on Arsenal in the race for Kolo Muani’s signature, securing a transfer for the forward. This leaves Arsenal with one fewer option in their search for a striker, further complicating their plans for the remainder of the season.
Despite these setbacks, there is still hope for Arsenal in the form of Evan Ferguson, the Irish forward currently playing for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. Ferguson has impressed with his performances this season, and it is believed that Arsenal are now strongly interested in bringing him in on loan until the summer. Given his age and potential, Ferguson could be an ideal short-term fix for Arsenal’s attacking woes, providing cover for Saka and Jesus during their absences. His arrival on loan would give Arsenal some much-needed depth in attack and allow the club to assess his potential before making any long-term decisions about his future.
The search for a striker in January is undoubtedly a difficult task for Arsenal, as many of the top targets are either unwilling to move mid-season or are already committed to other clubs. However, Arteta and the club’s recruitment team will need to work quickly to secure a solution, as the injury crisis has left Arsenal with a depleted attack. The club’s ambitions for the rest of the 2024/25 season will depend on their ability to find a suitable replacement for Saka and Jesus, and the success or failure of their January transfer business could have a significant impact on their chances of success in both domestic and European competitions.
In conclusion, Arsenal’s pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres highlights the club’s determination to address their attacking needs in the wake of injuries to key players. While the Swedish forward’s impressive form has made him a target for several top clubs, it seems unlikely that a move for Gyokeres will take place in January. Instead, Arsenal may need to focus on temporary solutions, such as a loan move for Evan Ferguson, as they look to navigate the rest of the 2024/25 season. The injury crisis at the club has underlined the importance of having depth and quality in the squad, and the club’s efforts to strengthen their attacking options in January will be crucial to their ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.
