Arsenal have mustered 61 shots across their last three competitive outings and scored just the once. Even then, that one goal was a mishit effort from Bukayo Saka in an eventual 2-1 defeat at Fulham. A run of won in seven may not be of major cause for concern for supporters but they'll be keen to get back on track as soon as possible to maintain a push for silverware.
The best way to do so is to secure the services of a new striker this month. Yes, Arsenal have been monitoring Amadou Onana of Everton as they continue their midfield overhaul but fans are aware they need to add a goalscorer to the books. Neither Eddie Nketiah nor Gabriel Jesus are consistent enough to lead the charge for a side harbouring title aspirations, noted in that the pair have scored just eight league goals between them this season.
Of teams in the top half of the table, only Chelsea (34), West Ham (33) and Manchester United (22) have scored fewer league goals than the Gunners (37) in the 2023/24 campaign. They have might have one of the meanest defences in the division but lack the necessary firepower to help turn one point into three. It's an issue that needs rectifying this month if Arsenal are to remain hot on the heels of title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
Ivan Toney was long linked with a move to the Emirates but that transfer looks dead in the water. Dusan Vlahovic is another rumoured target for the Gunners though Arsenal will be aware the Serb wouldn't come cheap. Reports now suggest Getafe hitman Borja Mayoral is a top target for the north London side, who are rumoured to have lodged a £22m bid for the striker.
The 26-year-old has been ruthless in front of goal for a Getafe side chasing a European finish. Indeed, only Jude Bellingham (13) has scored more goals than Borja (12) in La Liga this season, while the Real Madrid star is the only player with a better conversion rate (33.3%) than the Getafe hitman (32.4%) in Spain's top tier this term. At the midway stage of the campaign, this is already Borja's most prolific of his career, and this is perhaps a concern.
⚽️ Only Jude Bellingham (13) has scored more goals than Borja Mayoral (12) in La Liga this season pic.twitter.com/adQjAYbuGY
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 11, 2024
The Spaniard has never been overly consistent in front of goal up until this season and what Arsenal need is a consistent goalscorer. That said, Borja makes up for his lack of career goals with a desire to drift across the frontline, either to occupy opposition defenders or open up space for teammates to run into. This is why Jesus is first choice for Arsenal. The Brazilian's selflessness presents wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli with the chance to put defences to the sword.
The issue here is that when both Saka and Martinelli are blowing cold, Arsenal's goal problems really come to the fore. The former has scored just two goals in his last 12 league outings, while the latter has netted in just one of 18 starts this season. This wouldn't be such a huge issue with a regular goal-getter leading the charge and this is really what Arsenal are lacking. Borja therefore would suit the current gameplan, showing the desire to drift to the flanks or drop deep to receive possession, which in turn would allow Saka and Martinelli to make darting runs from wide to wreak havoc in the opposition box.
His link up play is arguably one of his biggest strengths, which for a fluid Arsenal unit, is of the utmost importance. In addition, a desire to hassle defenders would in turn result in turnovers in dangerous positions for the Gunners, again another strength of Mikel Arteta's side. They have won possession in the attacking third the fifth most times (122) in the Premier League this season, a metric led by north London rivals Tottenham (129) so there isn't a massive gap between Arteta's team and the side that tops this particular stat.
For a team like Getafe that average just 42.9% possession, that the fourth lowest in La Liga this season, Borja plays the role of defensive forward well. However, for this current Arsenal side that sees far more of the ball, it's the desire to bring others into player that'll really shine through. If he can maintain the same goalscoring form for the Gunners, then he could prove another shrewd January addition to the ranks at Arsenal.
Borja may not be the headline-grabbing striker that'll sell shirts but he could prove an effective cog in this Arsenal machine provided both player and club play to their respective strengths. If his work off the ball enables Saka and Martinelli to get back among the goals, too, then he could prove a handy signing providing they can convince Getafe to sell this month. He may not be the freescoring frontman some supporters crave yet he's a forward whose skillset suits the system in place at the Emirates. If he can transfer his goal record from La Liga to the Premier League, then he could prove the perfect fit.
