Bukayo Saka being out for the foreseeable future means Arsenal face lacking the needed firepower to overcome Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

Despite not being at his very best this season, Saka has produced elite numbers for the Gunners since August. The Hale End graduate has contributed to 22 goals in 24 games in all competitions.

Saka will be unavailable for selection for some time and all eyes will be on Mikel Arteta to see how he lines his side up without the England international and navigates the foreseeable without his talisman.

READ MORE: Baleba surprise, Mbeumo targeted and familiar defender - Dream Arsenal January transfer window

READ MORE: Matheus Cunha sends Arsenal transfer message with eight-word claim Mikel Arteta will love

One player who faces pressure to perform is Gabriel Martinelli. Doubts over the Brazilian have emerged this season following the failure to replicate his form from seasons gone by and has only scored five goals this term.

Ahead of the January transfer window opening, much has been made about whether the Gunners should bite the billet and invest in another forward. The issue that presents is paying a premium in the winter, something the club have gone against in the past with Moises Caicedo.

Gabriel Jesus' recent form means there is less pressure on signing a centre-forward next month. Saka's injury means the priority rests out wide, that's why there is no surprise at all that Arsenal have been linked with Wolves star Matheus Cunha.

It's believed the north Londoners are long-term admirers of the Brazilian. The former Atletico Madrid star has been Wolves' best player this season and continued his fine form with a goal and assist in the 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Wolves' battle at the bottom of the Premier League means they are set to be desperate to keep hold of him. However, there's enough talent to sanction a move for him in the winter. In 2022, Wolves signed Cunha on an initial loan deal which became permanent for a fee worth £35million. Should he become a Gooner next month, he could cost at least £10m more than that.

Is he the man Arsenal need? He's versatile in the forward line and has proved his quality to perform in the Premier League. He ticks a number of boxes which Arteta needs. Fortunately, his arrival could be the perfect arrival to unlock Martinelli.

Ever since Granit Xhaka left in 2023, Arsenal's left side has been fragile. It's no coincidence that Martinelli's form has somewhat dipped since Xhaka left for Bayer Leverkusen. If Cunha did join, he could be the key clog in Arteta's system to unleash Martinelli and take the load off Declan Rice in midfield.

Capable of playing down the centre or on either wing means Cunha would be a valuable asset for Arsenal. The vacated spot on the right wing means he would have the opportunity to get to work immediately then become a top-class asset when Saka does return.

It would be a tough task to bring him to the capital. Manchester United are also interested in the attacker, even more so after his Man of the Match performance against them on Thursday night. However, unlike things at Arsenal, United are in dismay and are lurking in the bottom of the table.

Unlike the signing of Viktor Gyokeres or Alexander Isak, Cunha offers versatility to fill in across a number of positions. Arsenal need that, and need that quickly.