Arsene Wenger targets more 'offensive power' as Arsenal prepare for hectic end to January transfer window

Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Benge15 January 2018

Arsene Wenger admits he needs to find more “offensive power” in the transfer market ahead of what could be a hectic end to the January window.

Arsenal look set to lose two senior forwards this month with Alexis Sanchez expected to move to one of the two Manchester giants and Theo Walcott open to moving on in a bid for first-team football.

Walcott’s 14 minute cameo in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth – a match for which Sanchez was left behind due to his transfer speculation – took him beyond the hour mark for playing time in the top flight after 23 games of the season, only six of which he has featured in.

The 28-year-old was joined on the bench by 18-year-old Eddie Nketiah, yet to play in the Premier League, with Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil missing out with injury and Wenger is keen to improve his attacking options this month.

In Pictures | Bournemouth vs Arsenal | 14/01/2017

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“We cannot let players go and not strengthen our squad,” Wenger told Arsenal Player. “We have seen that today.

“It’s important that first of all, we get the players who are injured back and as well that we get some more offensive power in.”

Asked whether any new signings were imminent the Arsenal manager added: “It’s difficult always to say if it’s soon or not, but it has to be done.”

The Gunners first-choice to replace Sanchez is believed to be Malcom, the Brazilian forward who has scored seven goals and provided five assists in 19 Ligue 1 appearances for Bordeaux this season.

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