Mikel Arteta and Arsenal may be ruing their decision not to bring in a striker in the January transfer window given the recent injury blow to Kai Havertz. Coinciding with Gabriel Jesus' long-term injury, the Gunners are now left without a recognised striker.

Arsenal were linked with January transfer moves for Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. But none of those mentioned would make the move to the Emirates.

Manchester United are the favourites to sign Gyokeres given the history between Ruben Amorim and the Swedish striker. Spanish outlet SPORT have reported this week that Barcelona could also look to sign the striker in the summer as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

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The report also claims that the La Liga giants have added Isak to their transfer wishlist, though it's unlikely Newcastle would be willing to budge on their £150million asking price and are still hopeful of agreeing a new contract with the in-form frontman. If Isak were to move to the Nou Camp, it would be a repeat of the transfer blow that saw Raphinha head to Barca, having been linked with the Gunners.

With Watkins turning 30-years-old next season, it remains to be seen if Arsenal will return with a fresh bid for the Villa frontman who has ten goals and five assists in 24 top flight appearances so far this season. In an ideal world, the Gunners would bring in a striker who is earlier on in his career.

With options up front dwindling, that leaves Arteta a clear transfer mission in the summer - signing a striker. Sesko at Leipzig is a clear option, with the Gunners have long tracked the 21-year-old forward, who could solve Arsenal's striker woes.

The Slovenian international has scored 15 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions with four assists to his name. Arsenal were handed a major boost in any possible Sesko pursuit, Fabrizio Romano has reported that there is an "understanding" between Sesko and Leipzig that the striker will have an opportunity to join a new club in the summer.

Sesko's agent, Elvis Basanovic, was quizzed about Arsenal interest in his client last month and said: "I think you should ask Mr. Arteta about that. "But I think Sesko could suit many clubs because he has different football skills.

"He can play alone in attack, with two strikers, a little further back, he has height, speed, technical speed." "Benjamin is really shining, I think this is a phase of development.

"I think we have already shown in the past that we are sticking to the development path, that we are not looking at current form. Asked if Arsenal had made a move, he replied: "I can't answer that question for you."