Micah Richards highlights the one January transfer Arsenal desperately need after Chelsea draw

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Although Arsenal lost Edu Gaspar last week, the club’s January plans shouldn’t be affected – Mikel Arteta can still recruit as normal.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will choose to make the most of the window or not, but after a disappointing period of form, there might be some temptation.

To that end, three players could leave Arsenal in January, moves that could potentially provide funds and space for a new profile to arrive.

During Edu and Arteta’s time working together, the club preferred to remain quiet in January, but one or two new decision-makers at Arsenal may feel differently. 

Micah Richards thinks Mikel Arteta needs a new striker at Arsenal

With that in mind, when speaking on ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast, Micah Richards pointed out the January transfer that Arsenal seriously need.

Richards was reflecting on the 1-1 draw with Chelsea and felt as if a centre-forward, a poacher type striker, would be perfect for Arteta to win these tight games.

READ MORE: £50m Arsenal star has really lost his edge this season, and he proved it against Chelsea

He said: “I think watching Arsenal now for what, the last two years where they could have gone and won the league, I really believe they need a striker now.

“I think [Kai] Havertz has done exceptionally well in terms of holding the ball up, the runs that he makes, linking up play, technically very good, worked out.

“He’s got all the attributes for what Arsenal want in terms of the way they want to press and the way they want to set up.

“But just sometimes, I think that they need a poacher, they need that striker’s instinct at times where you can go missing for 80 minutes of the game – but in the vital moment, you just get that goal.

“I just think that’s what Arsenal are missing.”

Kai Havertz still needs help despite his progress at Arsenal

All in all, it’s hard to argue with Richards’ words.

After 11 games played, Arsenal are sitting fourth in the Premier League and they’ve scored fewer goals than all three sides ahead of them.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	11	9	1	1	21	6	15	28
2	Man CityManchester City	11	7	2	2	22	13	9	23
3	ChelseaChelsea	11	5	4	2	21	13	8	19
4	ArsenalArsenal	11	5	4	2	18	12	6	19
5	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	11	5	4	2	15	10	5	19
6	BrightonBrighton	11	5	4	2	19	15	4	19

In the Premier League alone, Havertz has scored four goals in 11 games with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both on three goals.

Arsenal have always shared the goals in recent seasons, something Arteta has painted as positive, but it would be a strength to have a poacher who could grab a win from almost nothing.

Something for Arteta and Arsenal’s transfer team to ponder, even if they do seem more likely to wait until the summer.