Arsenal transfers: ‘Gunners must sign striker to ease pressure on Giroud’

Nigel Winterburn has urged Arsene Wenger to splash the cash in January and bring in attacking reinforcements to maintain Arsenal’s bid for the title.

The Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United on Sunday as the north Londoners saw their lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to two points.

The lack of quality options up front at Arsenal has been a major talking point so far this season, with Olivier Giroud being heavily relied upon as Wenger’s main striking option.

And former Arsenal defender Winterburn believes Wenger would be wise to bolster his attacking options in the forthcoming transfer window.

“One key area which I think everyone is debating is the centre forward role,” Winterburn told Goal. “Giroud is having to do a lot of work, without a rest, so it’s hard work for him.

“I would like to think that they may try and bring someone in, whether that will be a permanent signing or a loan signing.

“If you get the likes of [Theo] Walcott back, [Lukas] Podolski back, then the bench is looking completely different. You’ve got a lot more midfield and attacking options. I don’t know Wenger’s thinking about [them] coming back, and if they can fill that role, but they are completely different to Giroud.

“The way Arsenal play you need that good link-up striker. I just feel that a centre forward would be the main objective for Arsenal, to cover Giroud if he loses a bit of form or gets fatigued. I think that’s very important.”