Mikel Arteta is keeping his options open after losing Kai Havertz for the rest of the season, as Arsenal consider dipping into the free agent market.
The Gunners were already short on attacking options before Havertz suffered a hamstring tear during the club’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
The German international was Arsenal’s only recognised senior striker, leaving Arteta with a significant selection dilemma.
With no new forward signed during the January transfer window, the Arsenal boss must now reassess his squad.
This could mean deploying a player out of position or exploring the free agent market for reinforcements.
When asked if Arsenal would consider signing a free agent, Arteta said: “We’ll explore every possible situation and make a decision from there.”
While Mikel Arteta and Arsenal may be open to exploring the free agent market, it’s uncertain whether there are any viable options the club would consider, especially given their current situation.
Former Gunner Carlos Vela, now 35, is one of a handful of unattached players who could potentially provide a solution to Arsenal’s striker crisis.
Ex-Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who has Premier League experience, didn’t make much of an impact after signing a short-term deal with Wolves in 2022, during their own striker shortage.
Other free-agent forwards such as Leandro Damião, Lucas Pérez, Mariano Díaz, and Maxi Gómez are also without a club.
However, none of these players would be considered capable of leading the line for Arsenal under normal circumstances, highlighting the dilemma Arteta and the club currently face.
After emphasising that any potential free agent would need to be able to “play at our level” and contribute both on and off the pitch, Arteta was asked if, in hindsight, failing to sign a striker in January had been a mistake.
“We always put in that situation that we were one or two injuries away from a very risky situation,” he responded.
“But when you try your best and think you have done everything you are capable of and have done your homework and try that and don’t achieve it you can have regrets but at least you know you have done it.”
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