I think Arsene Wenger is certainly open to adding another striker to the squad prior to the close of the transfer window- if he can. But unless the Benzema piñata is cracked open by a Madrid signing, I don’t think it’s going to happen due to the paucity of market options. In this context, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud have been able to make hay whilst the sun shines. Both have signed contract extensions in 2015 and both have probably been able to capitalise on the lack of viable alternatives when negotiating an uplift in terms.

Arsenal have arguably addressed their most pressing squad need very early in the window with the acquisition of Petr Cech from Chelsea. The idle transfer talk revolves around upgrading and there is a very broad consensus on the two positions where Arsenal could do with some decoration. The emergence of Francis Coquelin has at least partially cooled the Arsenal jets in the screening midfield position (though not entirely given Arteta’s age and fitness levels). Centre forward is of course, a much sexier position and most of the chatter has focused on the Gunners finally acquiring that genuinely top class centre forward.