17 in 17… Arsenal must explore a loan deal for £50m striker who can’t stop scoring

Tue 23 January 2024 12:15, UK

Although Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side scored five goals against Crystal Palace on Saturday, talk of signing a new striker won’t go away.

Gabriel Jesus played a vital role in the win, but it was evident towards the end of the game that even he was feeling the pressure of scoring.

The Brazilian was almost forcing a goal-scoring situation, something that transpired to work against him.

Neither Jesus or Eddie Nketiah are playing poorly, but they are not the goal-scorers many Arsenal fans think the club needs.

That being said, there’s a lot of clamour for Mikel Arteta to find a way to recruit Ivan Toney this month.

Alan Shearer was stunned by Toney’s passing on his Brentford return, proving he can offer a ton to Arsenal.

However, that deal simply doesn’t look realistic this month owing to Arsenal’s FFP restrictions.

But if Mikel Arteta does want to roll the dice before next week’s deadline, there could be one exciting option on loan.

Arsenal have often fallen to Aleksandar Mitrovic’s dominant presence in the past, and it could now be time to recruit the man.

If Arsenal need goals, Aleksander Mitrovic could be the answer for Mikel Arteta

Since leaving Fulham in the summer, Mitrovic has scored 17 goals in 17 league games for Al Hilal.

The 29-year-old simply can’t stop scoring in a league which is clearly below his level.

And as has often been the case with players in Saudi Arabia this month, there could be an opportunity to loan Mitrovic on a short-term basis.

Arsenal can’t spend big this month, but they can be clever.

And Mitrovic would guarantee goals for Arteta at Arsenal, a player who would really shake things up.

It almost feels as if Mitrovic would be a risk, a signing that could go one or two ways if he upsets the squad’s balance.

However, with 14 goals in 24 Premier League games for Fulham last season, he could be well worth the gamble.

Perhaps the move would also allow Eddie Nketiah to move out on loan, providing valuable game time for the forward.

Some fans may think signing Mitrovic wouldn’t be the best idea, and there’s merit to their opinion.

But with Arsenal yet to prove they can win a trophy so far this season, it may be time to try something different.

That being said, it seems as if one Arsenal player should now be seeking an exit before the month ends.