Attacking options for Arsenal in January

This January's transfer window will be an interesting time for Arsenal. With Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil both coming towards the end of their contracts at the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2018, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be looking to move quickly in his search for replacements if the talented duo decide to head for pastures new.

Ask any Arsenal fan what disappoints them the most in recent seasons and they will likely refer to a transfer of one of their players to a Premier League rival. Look no further than Robin van Persie's transfer to Man Utd, Samir Nasri's move to Man City, maybe even Emmanuel Adebayor's decision to move to City. Ashley Cole transferring to Chelsea, Gael Clichy opting to quit Arsenal in favour of a move to the Cityzens. The list goes on. 

The uncertainty over the long-term future of Ozil and Sanchez weighs heavily on Arsenal fans; particularly with Mesut having been linked with a transfer to Manchester United and Alexis Sanchez's reported dream reunion with Pep Guardiola at Man City. 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has some big decisions to make. In order to keep hold of one of the duo, he will likely have to break his strict wage policy at the Emirates. Wenger is in a difficult situation whereby he is unable to ensure that both the German and Chilean attackers put pen to paper on new deals. 

Subsequently, Wenger now needs to begin his search for sufficient replacements.

Julian Draxler

The German international has been linked with a move to Arsenal for over four years. Arsene Wenger was said to be gutted when the player decided to make a move to PSG. In Paris, Draxler has so far been unable to guarantee first-team football, with the continued outstanding form of Neymar, Cavani, Moura and Mbappe. The former Schalke man represents a very interesting option for Arsenal and may be available at a cut-price 45 million euros in the January transfer window.

Thomas Lemar

Already known to be Arsene Wenger's preferred replacement for Alexis Sanchez, the Monaco star saw a deal to North London fall through last August. Lemar is unlikely to make the move to Arsenal now, with the French Ligue 1 championship winning club valuing him at around 85 million euros. 

Raheem Sterling

A surprise name linked with a move to Arsenal just a few weeks ago, the England international has been in outstanding form so far this season, having scored a goal every 72 minutes.  Sterling has himself admitted that he would reject a move to Arsenal, therefore a move to the Emirates Stadium looks unlikely.

Emil Forsberg

The Swedish international has been in stunning form since his move to RB Leipzig and his club's first season in Germany's top flight proved to be a success for his club and for Forsberg, too. The Swede scored 8 goals in 30 games for Leipzig and has since been linked with a host of Europe's top sides. Forsberg might be available for as little as 25 million euros.

James Rodriguez

Out-of-favour at Bayern Munich, the Colombian international is arguably one of the best players in the world but has failed to reproduce his form in the Bundesliga. Rodriguez has another 18 months of his loan deal at the Bavarian club to run, but various reports from Germany state that this deal could be canceled in January. Real Madrid will be looking for around 60 million euros transfer fee to sell the forward.