Arsenal's Striker Dilemma: To Sign or Not to Sign in January?

Arsenal have been here before. The present and fierce debate over whether they should sign a striker in January is similar to the mood around the club three years ago, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was abruptly transferred to Barcelona and the Gunners pondered signing a replacement. Steadfast in their belief that the ideal player wasn't available, Arsenal decided that they would not compromise or gamble by pursuing an alternative, instead trusting those already at the club to see it through. They ended up paying a high price, missing out on UEFA Champions League football by just two points as late-season defeats at Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur cost them dearly. The final table showed Arsenal in fifth place with 61 goals. Champions Manchester City ended with 99, Liverpool with 94. The Gunners have adopted a disciplined approach in the transfer market during manager Mikel Arteta's five-year reign, preferring to wait for their top target or pivot to a backup option who could be had for less in certain circumstances. It has served them well, transforming them from top-four hopefuls to title contenders in the past two seasons. A reminder of this longer-term view came this week with news that they are in pole position to sign Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. That deal, regarded as a significant coup if they pull it off, will strengthen their central midfield and ease pressure on the club to tie down either one or both of Jorginho and Thomas Partey, who each have contracts expiring at the end of the season. There are more immediate priorities, though. As former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra said last week: "Arsenal is like watching Netflix: you always have to wait for the next season."