Arsenal could postpone their plans to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk following the injury to the Gunners frontman Gabriel Jesus. The summer arrival of Jesus from Manchester City has been a significant boost to Arsenal and his injury, which it's likely to keep him out until February, could prompt Mikel Arteta to change his January transfer window plans.
football.london understands that a long-term interest in Mudryk remains, and the Ukrainian remains the centre of discussion for an attacking signing this winter, however that may no longer be the case with Edu and Arteta likely assessing potential options in the front line after the injury suffered at the World Cup by Jesus.
With Mudryk predominantly a winger, and there now being a significant lack of depth in the striker role, Arsenal may need to prioritise signing another traditional centre forward with Jesus set to miss a significant amount of games.
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As the search for a Jesus replacement begins, the Gunners could reignite their interest in Dusan Vlahovic and take advantage of Juventus' financial predicament, while Tammy Abraham has been linked with a Premier League return with Arsenal. Marcus Thuram, who has been a target of many Premier League clubs including the Gunners, can play up front as well as being very effective out wide.
Perhaps the best option though would be Cody Gakpo, who showed at the World Cup his versatile play style, and while he may not possess the neat footwork in tight areas that Jesus does, he thrives when dropping deeper, but can also play as a focal point at the tip of the attack.
Mudryk has expressed a keen desire to leave Shakhtar and his transfer saga with Arsenal has taken many twists and turns and given Arsenal many setbacks and blows with the latest news indicating towards the latter.
Despite being labelled 'the chosen one', CalcioMercato have claimed that Arsenal may hold off on their plans to sign Mudryk after the extent of Jesus’ knee injury, which required surgery to fix, was revealed.
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