Arsenal have been urged to splash the cash on a world-class striker valued at £80 million during this January transfer window

Arsenal are racing against time in the January transfer window, with no new additions to the squad despite manager Mikel Arteta’s public admission that reinforcements are desperately needed. The Gunners are grappling with significant injuries and suspensions but have admirably maintained their unbeaten record in the Premier League during this challenging period.

Key players Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus have been sidelined, with Saka expected to return in late February and Jesus ruled out for the remainder of the season following an ACL injury sustained against Manchester United in the FA Cup. These setbacks have left Arsenal short of options in attack as they continue their push for silverware.

Arteta has made no secret of his desire to bolster the squad. “We lost two very, very important players, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. So we lack goals, we lack people, we lack options in the frontline—it’s clear,” he said. “Ideally, we need some help. We were short already, and now we are even shorter. The team still copes with that, but we have to do what is right for the club.”

The Arsenal manager emphasised that any signing must have a genuine impact. “Any player? No. [It has to be] someone that makes us better and has an impact on the team,” Arteta added.

Arteta reportedly has his sights set on Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko to address Arsenal’s attacking concerns. However, both deals appear challenging. Newcastle United are unwilling to entertain offers for Isak, who has been instrumental for them this season, while RB Leipzig could still be convinced to cash in on Sesko if Arsenal make the right offer.

Recent reports suggest Arsenal are considering a £60 million move for Sesko who has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland. The 21-year-old Slovenian striker who has scored 14 goals and provided eight assists across all competitions this season, has expressed his individuality despite comparisons to the Manchester City star. “I already said that I’m my own player. The only thing we have in common is height and speed, but our styles of play are different,” Sesko told ESPN in 2023.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes Sesko would be a crucial addition for Arsenal. Speaking on “Transfer Deal or No Deal,” Carragher said, “Deal—they need to sign a center-forward, otherwise they won’t win the Premier League.”

Arsenal are also monitoring Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, who is reportedly valued at £65 million. However, Carragher expressed skepticism about the Brazilian’s fit for Arsenal, saying, “He’s a good player, but I’m not sure I’d be paying £65 million for him. I’m not sure where he plays for Arsenal.”

Manchester City’s striking duo have been connected for the first time on the pitch as Erling Haaland issued a message to new arrival Omar Marmoush after his debut.

Pep Guardiola’s players were forced to come from behind after an early setback in Saturday evening’s contest with Chelsea, showing exceptional mental strength and fight to secure a huge three points in the chase for the Premier League’s top-four positions.

Abdukodir Khusanov’s full Manchester City debut got off to the worst possible start as the 20-year-old played a poor header into the path of Nicolas Jackson, who slotted it to Noni Madueke to convert and give Chelsea the lead.

The Uzbek youngster would come back from his difficult start and show composure in the rest of his outing, while Omar Marmoush offered a different dimension to Manchester City’s attacking line in his own debut.

Speaking to Sky Sports after Saturday evening’s 3-1 win over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, Erling Haaland admitted that it is clear the Egyptian forward has ‘something special’, and that there are clear reasons why the club invested in the 25-year-old’s services this month.

“You can see he has something special, there’s also a reason why Manchester City bought him. He has something special,” Haaland told broadcasters at the Etihad Stadium after a win that thrust the club into the Premier League’s top-four.

Haaland continued, “He got straight in the team and it’s about getting to know him as quick as possible, giving him confidence, he’s going to be a fantastic player for us.

“He had an amazing first-half of the season for Eintracht Frankfurt and hopefully he’s going to have the same season for Manchester City now in the second-half of the season.”

Goals from Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden would secure the three points for Manchester City, as their attentions turn towards the midweek clash with Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League.

Manchester City are aware that only a victory will secure themselves of a place in the play-offs for the last-16 stage of the competition, although they will once again have to compete without any of their new signings, including Omar Marmoush.

All of the new names are unable to be registered in the club’s European squad list until the next stage of the tournament, and as such Pep Guardiola will have to call upon other options including John Stones in defence.

Manchester City‘s leading marksman Erling Haaland will be looking to add to his tally when the Citizens welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium for a Premier League clash on Saturday evening.

The Norwegian found the net in City’s 4-2 defeat away against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night – his 23rd strike in 30 appearances across all competitions.

Haaland also has 17 goals to his name in 22 Premier League games this term and will hope to make the net ripple once again against a Chelsea side whom he has enjoyed playing against in recent years.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at Haaland’s record against Chelsea.

Erling Haaland’s record vs. Chelsea

Played: 5
Won: 3
Drawn: 2
Lost: 0
Goals: 3
Assists: 0

Erling Haaland has faced Chelsea competitively a total of five times in all competitions, all in the Premier League, and has helped the Citizens come out on top on three occasions as well as draw twice.

The Norwegian has scored three goals in that time, although he failed to make the net ripple in his first two meetings with the West Londoners in his debut campaign at the Etihad.

Haaland started and played the full 90 minutes without scoring in a 1-0 away win in January 2023, before coming off the substitutes’ bench for the final 16 minutes in another 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture four months later.

Man City’s No.9 celebrated scoring his first two goals against Chelsea in December 2023, but it was not enough to fire the Citizens to victory as they played out an enthralling 4-4 draw with the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

Haaland then drew a blank in front of goal in the reverse fixture, as Chelsea held City to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad, but the striker was on target in the Citizens’ most recent encounter with the Blues, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 away victory on the opening weekend of the 2024-25 campaign.

All three of Haaland’s goals against Chelsea have come at Stamford Bridge, so he will be attempting to net his first Etihad goals against Enzo Maresca‘s side this weekend.