AFC NEWS 》Four free agent strikers Arsenal can still sign after Kai Havertz injury bombshell

AFS NEWS 》Four free agent strikers Arsenal can still sign after Kai Havertz injury bombshell

The latest Arsenal news as an injury to Kai Havertz leaves Mikel Arteta short on attacking options ahead of a return to Premier League action.

Arsenal have been handed a big injury worry ahead of their return to Premier League action this weekend – and it’s in the position that may hit them the hardest.

Having lost Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus to injury over the last couple of months, Mikel Arteta’s side were already short on attacking options. It’s something that they weren’t able to address in the January transfer window just gone.

It left Arsenal with just Kai Havertz as their only first team centre-forward option. It is now reported that the German has suffered a hamstring injury during the club’s warm weather training camp in Dubai, with latest reports suggesting that he is set to miss the rest of the season.

Should that be the case, it leaves Arsenal looking for alternative options. The blow also comes after Gabriel Martinelli suffered a hamstring issue against Newcastle and faces more than a month on the sidelines.

As well as promoting youngsters from the academy, one avenue Arsenal could potentially go down is the free agent market, having only used 22 of their available 25 slots in their Premier League squad. Players who left their former club before the end of the January transfer window are able to sign for another club outside of the window, as long as they have space in their squad.

Here’s a look at potential options if Arsenal have a look at who’s available.

Diego Costa

The former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker left Brazilian side Gremio at the start of January and has been without a club since. The 36-year-old returned to England back in 2022, spending just under a year with Wolves, where he scored once in 25 appearances.

Last season saw him score eight goals and provide five assists for Gremio, but he did miss a lot of the campaign through injury.

Throughout his career, Costa has made a name for himself through scoring goals. Signing him at this period in his career would be a surprise move for Arsenal, but would boost the number of options up front for Arteta.

Wissam Ben Yedder

The 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Ligue 1 side Monaco in the summer following the expiry of his contract. His final season with the club saw him score an impressive 20 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions.

He has however since had some off the field issues having been found guilty of sexual assault while intoxicated back in November. He was handed a suspended two-year prison sentence which he has appealed.

It has been reported that ben Yedder is now closing in on a move to Serie A side Venezia FC.

Gerard Deulofeu

The former Everton, Watford and Barcelona forward left Udinese in mid-January and is now free to sign for another team. Injury has however prevented him playing for some time with his las appearance coming back in January 2023.

He continues to post updates of his recovery on social media, with him hoping to make a comeback to football in 2025.

Maxi Gomez

The 28-year-old Uruguay international has been without a club since leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor back in the summer. He spent the 2023/24 season on loan with La Liga club Cadiz but failed to register a goal or assist in 34 appearances in all competitions.

He does however have a career record of 89 goals in 304 appearances in all competitions. At 28, he also still has time to refind his goalscoring form.