Arsenal have made contact with Marcus Rashford, the deal is in Manchester United’s hands

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Arsenal are under pressure to add a forward to their ranks this January.

The Gunners have struggled to find the back of the net frequently enough without star man Bukayo Saka in recent weeks, drawing a blank against Newcastle United on Tuesday, and scoring just once in games against Brighton and Ipswich Town.

Mikel Arteta’s team lack the firepower required to compete with Liverpool’s explosive attack, and thus the North London outfit are being linked to a number of offensive players.

Mathues Cunha is a target for Arsenal, and he could still make the switch to the Emirates despite reportedly being close to reaching an agreement over a new contract at Wolves.

Meanwhile, Nico Williams is open to a Premier League move, and has long been admired by Arteta.

However, Arsenal may have identified a cheaper solution to the aforementioned duo, in what would certainly be the shock deal of the window in English football.

Arsenal have contacted Marcus Rashford

While many are hoping that Arsenal sign a striker this month, adding a wide player could arguably be as beneficial to Arteta’s team.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have struggled to find form this season, and thus the addition of a dynamic left-winger could reignite the Gunners’ left-hand side.

Ideally for Arteta, he finds someone who could operate both centrally and on the left, and it appears the Spaniard has initiated an attempt to land a player who can fulfil this role.

According to Sky Italia journalist Massimo Marianella (via Spazioj), Arsenal have held a phone call with Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

Rashford was linked with a move to Arsenal back in December, but reports on this front quietened in recent weeks.

However, the deal could be back on the table, with the North Londoners reaching out to convince the Englishman to swap the north-west for N5.

Ruben Amorim has frozen Rashford out of the United squad in recent weeks, and made it clear that the divisive figure is no longer part of his plans at Old Trafford.

With these bridges seemingly burnt, Arsenal are looking to take advantage of the situation and secure the player’s services on the cheap, reportedly valuing him at €25 million (£21 million).

The 27-year-old is earning a purported £375,000 a week (Capology) and thus United will likely be forced into accepting a significantly reduced offer for their academy graduate, with suitors likely to be few and far between.

It remains to be seen as to whether United would accept an offer in the region of Arsenal’s reported valuation of Rashford, but they may ultimately have no choice if it’s the only proposal on the table come the end of the month.

Rashford’s statistics suggest he’d be an upgrade on Arsenal’s current options

While Rashford has certainly not impressed on the pitch in the last 18 months in a dysfunctional United side, he has previosuly.

Netting a staggering 30 goals in all competitions in the 2022/23 season, at his best his output clearly usurps the likes of Martinelli and Trossard.

Arsenal currently lack ruthless finishing and a genuine goal threat from their left-hand side, and Rashford evidently provides these attributes.

While Martinelli may boast more creative tendencies in his game, the Gunners are in need of a winger who prioritises scoring goals as frequently as possible.

If Arteta is able to rediscover Rashford’s best form, then he’ll have some player on his hands.