Arsenal keeping tabs on former Championship striker

Arsenal will be hoping to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they visit high-flying Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. 

The Gunners currently sit two points clear at the top of the table, although second-placed Liverpool could leapfrog them with victory over Crystal Palace during Saturday’s early kick-off.

The Villans will undoubtedly provide Arsenal with a tough test, though, with Unai Emery’s side having win all seven of their home league games so far this season.

Last time out, Villa defeated reigning Premier League champions Manchester City 1-0 courtesy of Leon Bailey’s second-half strike.

Despite Arsenal’s impressive start to the season, it appears that those in charge of the club are keeping tabs on potential transfer targets ahead of the January transfer window.

Gyokeres has been in fine form so far this season

According to Record via Football London, the North London outfit are monitoring Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres.

The 25-year-old joined the Portuguese side from Championship club Coventry City over the summer, and has since scored 15 goals in 17 matches across all competitions.

The Swedish striker had netted 43 times in 116 games for the Sky Blues during his time in England, and he earned the club more than £20 million when Sporting signed him for a club record fee during the recent summer transfer window.

It is claimed that the Gunners are keen on the Swede, but his current employers are reluctant to allow him to leave in January and would therefore only do so if his £85.5 million release clause is met.

At present, Mikel Arteta has to choose between Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in terms of traditional strikers.

The pair have scored six and five goals respectively in total so far this season, but it appears that the Spaniard is keen to bolster his options in attack and the former Championship forward could be a target.