Champions League manager admits he’d actually like to sign £64m striker Arsenal are targeting in January

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal’s primary concern remains their attack, considering both Chelsea and Liverpool have outscored them in the Premier League this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have scored 29 goals in 16 league games while Enzo Maresca and Arne Slot’s respective teams have bagged 37 and 31 respectively.

Even a struggling Manchester City (28) side have scored just one less goal than Arsenal.

Arteta’s men have scored their last three league goals from set-pieces and it looks like in open play, they lack ideas, scoring just once in their last two games while drawing both.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	15	11	3	1	31	13	18	36
2	ChelseaChelsea	16	10	4	2	37	19	18	34
3	ArsenalArsenal	16	8	6	2	29	15	14	30
4	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	16	8	4	4	21	19	2	28
5	Man CityManchester City	16	8	3	5	28	23	5	27
6	Aston VillaAston Villa	16	7	4	5	24	25	-1	25

However, Arsenal are willing to sign players in January only if an “exceptional, unexpected opportunity” presents itself but otherwise, they have internally decided not to splash the cash in the winter window.

Arsenal are targeting Randal Kolo Muani in the January transfer window as a potential loan option, who does not seem to be in Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique’s plans whatsoever.

• READ MORE: Arsenal and Manchester City working on Belgium international as January deal could happen

Monaco boss eyeing Arsenal target Randal Kolo Muani

It was claimed in October that Kolo Muani was offered to Premier League clubs, with the Frenchman starting just two games in Ligue 1 this season.

Before the £64 million (BBC Sport) man headed to the French capital, he was one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers at Eintracht Frankfurt.

But AS Monaco boss Adi Hutter has now admitted that he too would be keen on signing Arsenal target Kolo Muani.

Hutter said via Get French Football News: “Our eyes are open [to the market]. This is our job to look at the market and look for the best solutions for us. It is not easy in winter. Kolo Muani – it sounds good! We have to be honest, we have to find a good solution.”

“We have some profiles [in mind]…We have to find someone who scores goals! Many strikers in Europe can help us. I have known Kolo Muani since his time at Eintracht Frankfurt. [He is] a profile maybe, but there are lots of other things, and for sure he is not the cheapest one. We have to find a good solution, together.”

Recently, Kai Havertz was called “average” by Craig Burley, who felt he barely impacts games as Arsenal’s starting striker. Gabriel Jesus expressed his desire to play more as he has become a mere squad player since last season.

Jorginho said Arsenal don’t need a striker

It will be interesting to see whether Arsenal take a punt on Kolo Muani as a loan signing, whose move to PSG has been a complete failure.

Even last season, the World Cup finalist started just 13 league games for the French giants.

Rio Ferdinand told Jorginho during a recent interview: “Are you in the camp where you look at your squad and go, because you look at all the Arsenal fans, it’s the first thing they say, why haven’t we got a number nine?”

“Do you think like that as players? I’m sure you can’t think like that.”

Jorginho replied: “Nah.”

The Italian midfielder went on to stress that Arsenal have the perfect striker in Havertz.

“It’s crazy because he’s just an unbelievable player. At the beginning, when people were hammering him, I was like, these people, what are they talking about?”

“Oh my days, I was like, is this really happening? I can’t believe it.”

Jorginho added: “How much he helps the team, the way he plays. For me, the big improvement he made since coming to the Premier League is how tougher he’s getting. Now, he’s at the place where he’s unbelievable.”

“The confidence he has, the confidence he gives to the team as well, he’s so clever, he puts his body always in the best positions, he always gives you a solution, he finds solutions in situations, he’s a baller.”

While Arsenal will have a lot of faith in Havertz as well as Jesus, it will be interesting to see whether they feel they need to add another striker to their attack like Kolo Muani.