Arteta may have to delve into January market as striking duo edge closer to exits

After a disastrous start to the season, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has witnessed his side turn their fortunes around and move up to fifth in the table. 

Having lost their opening three games, the Gunners sat bottom at the end of August, but have since won six and drawn two and are one of the division’s form sides at present.

The form of Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu will have been particularly pleasing for Arteta, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also been impressive in front of goal after a slow start to the campaign.

Despite his side’s good run of form, Arteta could be presented with one or two headaches in the coming weeks, as two of his striking options look set to depart the club when the window opens in the new year.

Both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette will look to force moves away from the club in January, according to Football London.

The report suggests that Nketiah, who turns 23 soon but has just two cup appearances to his name so far, could be moved on in January with both Crystal Palace and Borussia Monchengladbach both potentially interested in a cut price deal.

Nketiah is expected to leave Arsenal in January, but Lacazette could be kept to provide cover

The young forward has been prolific for both Arsenal and England at youth level, but has found himself far down the pecking order under Arteta and could be allowed to leave in the new year.

His contract is due to expire next summer, meaning he would be allowed to leave for free, but the Gunners may instead opt to cash in on him in January.

Lacazette, meanwhile, is also set to be available for free next summer and was widely expected to depart the club in January, but it appears he could now stay in North London as Arteta looks at ways of ensuring he is not short of attacking options.

Aubameyang is due to travel to the African Cup of Nations in February, and if Nketiah was to leave, that would leave only Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli as options up front.

Arteta may therefore choose to block Lacazette’s exit, and instead let him leave for nothing upon the expiry of his contract.

However, if the Frenchman is successful in forcing a move away from the club, then Arteta may have to venture into the market for a striker to act as cover for Aubameyang while he represents Gabon at AFCON.

Luca Jovic is mentioned in the report as one potential target, having endured a nightmare spell with Real Madrid.

The Serbian striker could be available in January as Madrid look to offload the striker, who has made just five league appearances so far the term.