• Premier League

Wenger: No need for Arsenal to buy a striker

Theo Walcott is set to make his return for Arsenal against Southampton © Getty Images

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he does not need to sign a striker in the January transfer window, with the returning Theo Walcott set to provide him the attacking cover he needs to mount a sustained title push.

Walcott is back in contention to play a part in Saturday's clash against Southampton, though Wenger admits he may need some time before he is fully match fit having not played since mid-September.

The Arsenal boss failed in bids to sign Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain in the summer transfer window, yet the form of French marksman Olivier Giroud has dampened down his enthusiasm to sign an additional forward.

While Nicklas Bendtner hardly seems like an ideal option to fill in if Giroud picks up an injury, Wenger is convinced he has the players in place to plug the void on a short term basis.

"I think we can win the title without signing a striker," Wenger told reporters ahead of the clash against third-placed Southampton at the Emirates.

"[Lukas] Podolski is not back but he shouldn't be too far now. They make it less critical to sign a striker. Also, Theo [Walcott] gives us qualities that other players haven't got. It's a different option. Theo also gives us an opportunity to be a mobile striker. If we lose Giroud today we have nobody with body weight up front.

"Look, I am not against it [a January signing]. I don't say I never make a mistake. I certainly made some. Sometimes it is because we didn't sign the right player.

"It is always difficult in the middle of the season [to sign the right players]. If somebody is doing well somewhere the clubs do not necessarily want to sell him. They can wait until the end of the season. Most of the time it is because we didn't find [the right players]."

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