Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is being supported as the perfect choice for Arsenal in January.

Vlahovic’s Future in the Spotlight as Arsenal Seek Striking Reinforcements

Dusan Vlahovic, the Serbian striker currently plying his trade at Juventus, was the man of the moment as he celebrated scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia clash against Cagliari at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on December 17, 2024. However, his future at the club is now under scrutiny, particularly with the recent arrival of Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain.

TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves has suggested that Vlahovic could be an ideal fit for Arsenal, as Gunners fans are clamouring for Mikel Arteta to invest in a new striker this January. Speaking on the Goals Show Xtra, Hargreaves pointed out the potential for Vlahovic to make a move, stating, “Juventus have just signed Kolo Muani. You would think maybe Vlahovic could be an option? He could be perfect for them, with his profile.”

Despite having scored 12 goals for Juventus this season, Vlahovic’s position in the squad may be jeopardised by Kolo Muani’s arrival, especially as he currently finds himself in the midst of a five-game goal drought. In contrast, Arsenal’s attacking woes have been evident, with the team managing just five goals in their previous five matches before a much-needed 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League.

Kai Havertz has been attempting to fill the void left by injured stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, and he found the net against Dinamo. However, TNT Sports’ Steve McManaman believes that this should not deter Arteta from seeking additional firepower. “Unfortunately, if you’re not winning every game, people criticise,” he remarked. “If a chance is missed, and it’s missed by Kai, they need a centre forward.”

McManaman continued, “They’ve needed a centre forward for a number of years now. Everybody says it at the beginning of the year. You don’t want it to come true. You want everybody to be proved wrong. But the more they miss chances, the more people are going to say, ‘we desperately need another centre forward.’

Arsenal’s recent victory over Dinamo has all but secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, and they currently sit second in the Premier League. However, a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the weekend has seen the gap to league leaders Liverpool extend to six points. With the transfer window closing on February 3, McManaman expressed concerns about the club’s financial capabilities in securing new talent. “Who is to say that there is somebody out there who they can get?” he questioned, mentioning high-profile names like Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko.

Adding to the debate, TNT Sports expert James Horncastle raised doubts about whether a traditional centre forward is truly on Arteta’s radar. With players like Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli available, Arsenal often employs a more fluid attacking style rather than relying on a conventional No. 9.

Horncastle elaborated on Arteta’s tactical philosophy, stating, “Arteta’s blueprint is very similar to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City pre-Erling Haaland. It’s very much ‘I want control.’ Four centre-backs across the back, because that gives me stability. I like my centre forward to be able to link the play and play almost as this extra midfield player.”

As the January transfer window approaches, the question remains: will Arsenal make a move for Vlahovic or another striker to bolster their attacking options? The Gunners’ pursuit of a centre forward could prove pivotal in their quest for silverware this season.