How Arsenal can sign huge Eddie Nketiah upgrade without paying a penny in January

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Given how poorly Arsenal have finished in their last three defeats, many fans are now calling for Mikel Arteta to sign a striker.

Neither Gabriel Jesus or Eddie Nketiah are lethal goalscorers, and whilst both have the ability to play for Arsenal, they don’t necessarily complement each other as a duo.

Either would suit a position next to Ivan Toney in Arsenal’s squad, something that may transpire in the summer.

But it now seems fairly certain that Arteta won’t be able to lure Toney to the club in January.

So with that in mind, a very interesting option may have now emerged for the Arsenal this month.

It was always thought that the club would seek short-term solutions if they do act in January, they don’t want to divert from their plans for the coming summer.

And with that in mind, a loan deal for former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema could be the perfect solution.

But with the title of this piece in mind – how would Arsenal do it for free?

There’s bound to be hefty wages and perhaps a loan fee attached to any move from Al-Ittihad this month, even if Benzema is reportedly likely to leave.

And that arrival can then be negotiated by the sale of Eddie Nketiah.

A striker like Karim Benzema could change everything for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal

Although this could be a very disruptive chain of events, it really could work for The Gunners.

Crystal Palace are said to be very interested in a £30m deal for Nkeitah this month, and with that fee recouped and the strikers’ wages removed from the bill, Benzema can arrive.

There’s little merit to chasing the 36-year-old on a long-term basis, Arsenal have a different vision.

But if the club are thinking to pursue Toney strongly in the summer, then Benzema could forge the path in the meantime.

The Ballon d’OR winner’s arrival would unsettle a few things at first, but probably for the better.

Arsenal need a lethal finisher, and they certainly won’t want to finish the season trophyless.

And when you consider that Arteta can now only win the Premier League or the Champions League, a striker like Benzema could really help at Arsenal.

A move seems unlikely, but not unmerited.

That being said, Roy Keane has now been discussing one failed pursuit that Arsenal may now regret.