24 December 2023 , 04:00
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Arsenal will be top of the Premier League at Christmas after playing out an entertaining draw with Liverpool on Saturday.
But the match also highlighted the biggest issue in Mikel Arteta's squad, namely the lack of a goalscoring striker. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have struggled to hit the back of the net this season, with boss Arteta set to bring in at least one reinforcement in the position.
Victor Osimhen will not be the man to boost the Gunners though, while Arteta has also been warned against making a move for Brentford star Ivan Toney. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Arsenal transfer news.
Osimhen deals blow
Napoli star Victor Osimhen has committed his future to the Italian club, ruling out a move in the January window. Osimhen was being eyed by Arsenal, who are in the market for a striker next month.
But the reigning Serie A champions have now announced that he has penned a new contract that will not expire until the summer of 2026. The striker was heavily linked with an exit in the summer, but opted to stay in Italy.
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His previous deal was set to expire in 18 months' time. Napoli announced Osimhen's extension on social media with a post that read "together until 2026" and a picture of the striker with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
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Arteta drops January hint
Mikel Arteta has dropped a hint on his plans for the January transfer window (Arsenal FC)Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hinted that he will only sign stars he sees as being "quality" players in the January window. The Spaniard highlighted the injury issues that have plagued his team as he opened up on his plans for next month.
"There are some things we have to improve, especially killing games with the amount of dominance that we are showing. Hopefully, we have sustained that level with five key players out," he said.
"We lost five very, very important players for us for many, many months and the team has still shown that so that is something we really have to maintain which is the quality in the squad and how willing they are to do what they do every single day."
Arsenal sent Toney warning
Theo Walcott has warned former side Arsenal against making a move for Ivan Toney in the January window. The Gunners icon believes that Toney's lack of football due to his betting ban means Arteta should explore alternative options.
"I am aware of the attacking player that Arsenal are slightly lacking that is going to get you more goals. They just need that striker who is going to be a poacher - they are just slightly missing out on that," Walcott told Sky Sports.
"I just feel like Mikel (Arteta) will deep down know what he needs, but we don’t want to dwell on it. I would be cautious of [Toney] because he hasn’t played. He’s a forward that is similar to Olivier Giroud which Arsenal used to have, which I was a big fan of."