Arsenal’s lack of reinforcements in the January transfer window is becoming increasingly problematic, especially following the devastating news that Kai Havertz has suffered a season-ending hamstring injury. The German midfielder sustained the injury during Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai and is now ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. This adds to Mikel Arteta’s growing injury concerns, with other key forwards such as Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli already sidelined.
With both Havertz and Jesus unavailable for the rest of the 2024/25 season, Arsenal are left without a traditional striker in their squad. Currently, the only attacking options Arteta can rely on are Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, and young prospect Ethan Nwaneri. This leaves the team in a precarious position, forcing them to either promote academy players or explore the free-agent market for a short-term solution.
Given the urgency of the situation, Arsenal may have no choice but to turn to out-of-contract players who could provide emergency cover in the striker role. Several experienced forwards are currently available as free agents, and while they may not be ideal long-term signings, they could offer temporary relief for the Gunners’ injury crisis. Here are six potential candidates Arsenal might consider:
### Wissam Ben Yedder
Ben Yedder was once among the most clinical strikers in Ligue 1, having scored 118 goals in 201 appearances for Monaco. Despite his impressive track record, the 34-year-old would be a highly controversial signing due to his recent legal troubles. In November 2024, he received a two-year suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of sexual assault, making his potential recruitment a sensitive issue.
### Maxi Gómez
Uruguayan striker Maxi Gómez, who is only 28 years old, has surprisingly remained without a club. He initially gained recognition for his prolific spell at Celta Vigo, where he netted 30 goals over two seasons. However, after moving to Valencia, his scoring output declined, and further stints at Trabzonspor and Cadiz proved underwhelming. Most concerningly, he failed to score in 33 appearances for Cadiz last season, raising doubts about his effectiveness.
### Mariano Díaz
A former Real Madrid prospect, Mariano Díaz showed early promise with 32 goals for the club’s Castilla side before earning promotion to the senior squad. Although he had a successful loan spell at Lyon, where he netted 21 goals in a single season, his return to Real Madrid did not go as planned. He later moved to Sevilla, but struggled for game time and has been without a club since leaving the Spanish side. At 31, he may not be the most exciting option for Arsenal fans, but he has proven his ability in the past.
### Diego Costa
Diego Costa, best known for his dominant spell with Chelsea, has remained unattached since leaving Brazilian clubs Botafogo and Grêmio in late 2024. The 36-year-old briefly returned to English football with Wolves in the 2022/23 season, where he managed just one goal in 25 appearances. While his aggressive playing style and experience could be useful, his recent performances suggest he is far from the player who once terrorized Premier League defenses.
### Lucas Pérez
Lucas Pérez is a familiar face for Arsenal supporters, having spent a season with the club, where he scored seven goals in 21 appearances. After a brief spell at West Ham, he returned to Spain, where he most recently played for Deportivo La Coruña. At 36, he was still contributing with four goals and four assists in the first half of the 2024/25 season before leaving due to personal reasons. While his past connections to Arsenal might make him an appealing option, his age and recent form raise questions about his ability to perform at the highest level.
### Carlos Vela
Another former Arsenal player, Carlos Vela, now 35, never truly established himself in North London but found success in Spain with Real Sociedad. In 2018, he moved to Major League Soccer (MLS) with LAFC, where he excelled, scoring 93 goals in 188 appearances. Although he played both as a winger and a striker, a return to Arsenal seems highly unlikely given his age and the demands of Premier League football.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s current predicament means they must explore every possible avenue to address their striker shortage. While none of these free agents would be a long-term solution, they could provide temporary relief as Arteta navigates the remainder of the season without his key forwards.
