‘Fantastic player’ – Arsenal urged to reignite transfer interest in former target

Arsenal have been urged to reignite their transfer interest in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic if they want to boost their Premier League title hopes.

A hard-fought win over Tottenham moved Arsenal within four points of league leaders Liverpool after they dropped points in midweek against Nottingham Forest.

However, the Gunners are in desperate need of January reinforcements after a season-ending injury to Gabriel Jesus further compounded their lack of depth up front.

At present, Arsenal have just four available senior forwards – Gabriel Martinelli, Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard – with Mikel Arteta adamant that the club are keen to make attacking signings this month.

Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko remain long-term targets for Arsenal, but both would provide difficult to prise away from their respective clubs in January.

And former Arsenal centre-back Phillippe Senderos believes that the club should therefore turn their attention to trying to sign Vlahovic who has often been linked with a move to the Emirates.

The Serbian centre forward has endured mixed fortunes while at Juventus and looks to have fallen further down the pecking order after the Italian club signed Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.

‘Dusan Vlahovic could take Arsenal closer to the title, but Mikel Arteta has a clear idea of how he wants to play and who he wants in that nine position,’ Senderos told CasinoHawks.

‘We’ve seen Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz there, but Vlahovic is a fantastic player who has performed in the Italian league and been a success.

‘It’s difficult to judge him this season, but he could certainly have a big impact in the Premier League, why not.’

Asked about Arsenal’s title hopes, the former Gunners defender added: ‘Arsenal are still in this title race. I also think Manchester City will also come back into it.

‘Liverpool have done very well and adapted well under Arne Slot, but anything can happen in the Premier League and it’s far from over yet.

‘Nottingham Forest had a great chance to upset them and that has made things even more exciting.’

Arsenal face a tough test against Aston Villa on Saturday as they look to keep pace with Liverpool at the top of the table.

Pressed again on his side’s lack of attacking options, Arteta said before the match: ‘At the moment we don’t have them, we are actively trying to find the best possible solution but we will have to wait and see what we can do.

‘Obviously we have lost two massive players for us in the frontline and we need some support there.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Man Utd facing competition to sign former star they let go for free

MORE: Chelsea make Joao Felix transfer decision amid January loan interest

MORE: Man Utd told to return to signing ‘top players’ after years of transfer failures