Remy & Welbeck in frame as Wenger seeks Giroud replacement

Arsene Wenger could be forced back into the transfer market if Arsenal’s worst fears are confirmed and Olivier Giroud is ruled out for three months.

The French striker suffered an ankle injury in the dying seconds of the Gunners 2-2 draw with Everton just after scoring his side’s equaliser and the north London club, who are 8/1 to win the Premier League title, hoping the results of a second scan do not reveal a fracture.

The 27-year-old will certainly miss Arsenal’s Champions League play-off match against Besiktas on Wednesday and their Premier League trip to Leicester but there is real concern he could face three months on the sidelines, forcing Wenger to spend in the final days of the transfer window.

It’s not an easy task to find a world class striker in the final few days of the summer window so Ladbrokes News is here to help with five potential options for Wenger…

Loic Remy

Remy has been linked with a move to the Emirates all summer but the player’swage demands seemingly put Wenger off making any potential deal.

But with Giroud’s injury forcing Arsenal’s hand this deal could easily be revived and for £8m it does not come at too big a price with the Gunners still in the market for a central defender and a defensive midfield player.

The French international has Premier League experience after firing 14 goals on loan at Newcastle last season and could be an ideal quick fix for last season’s FA Cup winners.

Danny Welbeck

The England star has been told he can leave Manchester United but would Louis van Gaal let Welbeck join a direct rival for Champions League qualification?

With Angel Di Maria joining the Old Trafford ranks LVG may not have an option as they look to fund a British record transfer move and now could be the time to swoop if Wenger believes Welbeck is the man to ease his striker crisis.

Radamel Falcao

The Colombian striker has recently dismissed reports linking him with a move away from Monaco but it has been well documented in the press Falcao is available for a loan move away from Stade Louis II.

Any move for the former Atletico Madrid man comes with a risk as he is returning from knee ligament damage in January but there is no doubting the Colombia international’s eye for goal.

A loan move for Falcao could cost anything up to £20m and that is where a potential deal could hit a stumbling block with Wenger not known for his spending sprees, particularly when it is just a loan move.

Edinson Cavani

Pulling off a last minute deal to bring the Uruguay international to the Emirates looks a big ask with PSG claiming that Cavani is staying at the Parc des Princes.

But Wenger is a known admirer of the 27-year-old and was reportedly interested in trying to add the former Napoli man to his ranks earlier in the summer when PSG were leading the race to sign Di Maria.

Bringing Cavani to north London would be a huge statement of intent and would be the superstar striker signing that all Gunners fans crave, but the reality of this deal means the Emirates faithful will have to keep dreaming!

Alessio Cerci

There is no doubt the Italian would be an excellent addition to the Arsenal squad but is he the like-for-like replacement Wenger needs for the injured Giroud?

The Torino star is most comfortable as a second striker or on either flank but with Arsenal looking for a player who can lead the line on his own rumours of a move for Cerci could be wide of the mark.

But the Gunners boss does make a habit of moulding players into different positions and it would not be a surprise to see him move for Cerci, who has scored 33 goals and produced 30 assists in 144 Serie A appearances.

Maybe Le Professeur should look closer to home…

Lukas Podolski

The German international looks to be heading out of the Emirates with Juventus leading the chase for his services but with the news Giroud could be out of action for three months Podolski’s Arsenal career may be handed a lifeline.

The former Bayern Munich forward, who has scored 19 goals in 53 appearances for the Gunners, has predominantly been used out on the left flank with Wenger not willing to give Podolski an extended run in the side in the centre forward position.

But with Arsenal’s striking options bare maybe the World Cup winner could finally get a sustained opportunity through the middle and save Wenger some cash in the process.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £100 in free bets.