Arsenal look set to invest in new signings during the January transfer window as they prioritise a move for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Gunners spent over £100million for the second successive summer ahead of the 2022/23 campaign and are hoping to reinforce Mikel Arteta's squad once again.
Gabriel Jesus' injury during the World Cup with Brazil has resulted in Arsenal pursuing a deal for Mudryk despite Eddie Nketiah's impressive form since coming into the side. The north London outfit have won back-to-back games against West Ham and Brighton to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points.
Arteta will be hoping that sporting director Edu Gaspar can seal a deal for the Ukrainian winger as they enter a busy period of fixtures in the hope of maintaining their title charge. Jesus is set to return in February with the Gunners also looking to strengthen in central midfield and centre-back.
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Gary Neville and Paul Merson both feel that Arsenal must invest in a new attacker if they are to stand any chance of winning the Premier League title this season. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the north Londoners' clash against Newcastle, Merson said: "I think they’ll invest, I don’t know if it will be a striker - who doesn’t need a striker? We're going from the top of the league down to the bottom of the league.
"Arsenal have got to [invest in a forward], it’s a free swing in my opinion. These chances do not come around all too often.
"We’ve been here before, you get here - I mean look at Chelsea: they can’t win the league, Liverpool can’t win the league, we’re only 16 games in, it goes that quickly. They’ve got to take this opportunity, it’s free money.
"Even if they don’t win it they’re going to get in the Champions League so they’re going to get their money back. For me, you’ve got to do it while you’re flying. There’s no good in doing it when the horse has bolted."
Neville agreed with Merson's verdict and feels Arsenal need to give Arteta a new striker in January. The former Manchester United defender said: "I do think Arsenal do need to go big to get a striker, to give Mikel Arteta a chance of winning the league.
"Arsenal have got a chance here - a small chance - of winning the league. If they go big on getting a striker it could be the difference."
The Gunners had an initial £55million bid rejected for Mudryk rejected by Shakhtar, but have since improved their offer to £62million. Arsenal face a late threat from Chelsea who are looking to hijack a move for the 21-year-old, but it seems the Ukrainian winger has his heart set on a move to the Emirates Stadium which could help the north London outfit win their first league title since 2004.
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