As the January transfer window enters its final days, Arsenal appears poised to make decisive moves to strengthen their squad for the Premier League title race. With a striker high on their wishlist and Oleksandr Zinchenko seemingly on his way out.

Zinchenko, a key figure in Arsenal’s rise to title contention last season, seems set to leave the Emirates. Arriving from Manchester City in 2022 for £30 million, Zinchenko’s impact was immediate, as his versatility and tactical awareness bolstered Mikel Arteta’s system. However, recent developments have seen the Ukrainian left-back slide down the pecking order.

The summer signing of Riccardo Calafiori and the promising emergence of academy product Myles Lewis-Skelly have reduced Zinchenko’s playing opportunities. The 28-year-old has struggled for consistent minutes this season, with just 13 appearances in all competitions.

Now, Borussia Dortmund has reportedly placed Zinchenko at the top of their left-back shortlist, viewing him as the ideal addition to their Bundesliga campaign. While Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell has also been linked to Dortmund, Zinchenko appears to be their primary target. Arsenal, understanding the player’s desire for regular football, is unlikely to block the move, signaling an amicable departure.

While Zinchenko’s exit captures headlines, Arsenal’s urgent search for a reliable striker may define their transfer window. Despite their strong performances, the lack of a clinical No. 9 has occasionally cost the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta’s team relying heavily on creative midfielders and wide players for goals.

In a recent press conference, Arteta defended his stance, highlighting the team’s need for reinforcements up front due to injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. “We lack goals, we lack people, we lack options up front. That is clear,” Arteta asserted, emphasizing the necessity of addressing this gap.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Arsenal approaches this situation. The club’s reluctance to finalize deals for strikers in the past has drawn criticism, but this window provides an opportunity to rectify that pattern. Securing a prolific forward could be the missing piece in their pursuit of Liverpool at the top of the table.

With the clock ticking on the transfer window, Arsenal faces pivotal decisions that could shape the remainder of their season.