It’s early days yet but you get the feeling it’s going to be the same old story with Arsenal this season. Arsene Wenger’s side have become masters at finishing in the top four without ever putting in a serious threat for the title during the business end of the season.

But what can the Gunners do to change this? It’s been said for a while but it’s still true today: they need a top quality, world-class striker if they want to win the league.

They tried to lure Jamie Vardy to the Emirates in the summer but had to make do with Lucas Perez. The Spaniard has looked decent in spells as he adapts to the English game, but he doesn’t come with the goal-scoring pedigree that Arsenal require to reach the top of the Premier League, and at 28-years-of-age, he’s hardly one for the future either.

They need a goal-getter to finish off the chances the likes of Carzorla, Ozil and Sanchez provide at a canter, it could be the difference come what May. With that in mind here are THREE reasons Arsenal must sign a striker in January.

Giroud is not the answer

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Olivier Giroud has been in good form recently, helping himself to goals and assists in the later stages of games as opposition defences tire. The Frenchman’s towering header that earned Arsenal a dramatic late point at Old Trafford is an obvious example.

But time and time again Giroud has proved that he’s just not consistent enough across a whole campaign. He goes through spells where he can’t stop scoring, only to then follow it up with lengthy goal droughts. Arsenal need a striker that scores throughout the season, whisper it, but they could do with a Harry Kane.

Could convince Ozil and Sanchez they mean business

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

There have been murmurings that Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are growing increasingly frustrated with Arsenal’s inability to go deep into the title race and Champions League.

Both players’ contracts will have just one year remaining this coming summer, the Gunners could be faced with an awful situation: sell one of their best players, or risk losing him for nothing. If one of them decides not to sign a new deal this could have an effect on the others decision, leading to a nightmare situation for the North-London side.

Signing a new striker could convince Ozil and Sanchez that Arsenal really mean business, seeing the duo extend their stay and bless the Emirates with their magic for years to come.

Because they’re sitting on a pile of unused money!

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Arsenal are rumoured to have vast amounts of cash at their disposal. It’s clear that Wenger doesn’t like paying over the odds for any player, but when it’s a player that could totally transform this Arsenal side, sometimes you have to make exceptions.

The Gunners were so diligent in the transfer market as they saved up to build the Emirates and pay off the subsequent debt. They should really be reaping the rewards of that now, but since the stadium was completed in 2006 they’ve only made two star signings, Ozil and Sanchez, they should be doing more if they want to compete at the sharp end of the Premier League anytime soon.