Arsenal have been linked with a January loan move for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson.

Mikel Arteta's side desperately need reinforcements up front as they look to reignite their faltering title challenge. Gabriel Jesus will have an operation on his left knee after sustaining an ACL injury during the Gunners' FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, leaving Arsenal with no other strikers available.

Arteta's team are six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, having also played a game more. The Gunners are also in danger of crashing out of both domestic cup competitions as they look to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit away to Newcastle in the League Cup semi-finals after exiting the FA Cup to Man United.

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With Arsenal potentially starring at a fifth consecutive season without silverware, Ferguson has been linked to fill the hole left by Jesus by journalist Ben Jacobs. However, English top-flight clubs can only make two loan signings from Premier League clubs, a limit the Gunners have already reached with Raheem Sterling and Neto.

It means Arsenal's hopes of signing Ferguson would have to be through a permanent deal, unless Sterling or Neto were recalled by their parent clubs or signed permanently themselves, thus freeing up a spot for Ferguson.

Asked if he laughs at Arsenal constantly being linked with strikers, Arteta insists that he understands it is the nature of the transfer window.

"No, I understand it happens as well in the summer, and I get a lot of people texting ‘When are you signing him and him and something’ I don't even know what they're talking about," he said.

"I don't follow it too much. I have enough work to do with a lot of things, so I don't get too distracted with it."