Mikel Arteta recently conceded that Arsenal might be considering a free agent to address their striker issues – a move not entirely unfamiliar for the Gunners. The 42-year-old manager finds himself in a tricky situation after Kai Havertz sustained a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
The former Chelsea forward joins Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the Arsenal injury list. Against Leicester City, Mikel Merino, who was brought in from Real Sociedad to push Declan Rice and Thomas Partey in midfield, scored twice when Arteta deployed him up front.
While the Spaniard shone against the Foxes, the Arsenal boss could still turn to the free agent market to find a more traditional solution to their injury problems in the forward areas. As the Gunners contemplate their options, Express Football reflects on two unexpected free signings Arsenal have made in the past.
No one will ever forget Tottenham Hotspur captain Sol Campbell leaving White Hart Lane to join Arsenal on a free transfer in 2001. However, many may have overlooked Campbell’s return to the north Londoners in January 2010.
At the time, Campbell was clubless following an ill-fated stint with Notts County. The England international barely lasted a month before realising his summer 2009 switch from Portsmouth to the Magpies was a mistake.
Wenger ended four months of free agency by signing Campbell on a free transfer until the end of the season. The then 35-year-old had to pass a trial and perform well in a practice match before he won Wenger’s trust again.
He was unveiled by the Gunners in the 2010 January transfer window. He made 11 appearances and even scored a goal in a 1-1 draw against Birmingham City.
Mathieu Flamini’s first stint at Arsenal from 2004 to 2008 persuaded AC Milan to sign the Frenchman when his contract in north London expired. Five years later, the tables turned as Wenger brought him back to the Emirates Stadium after Milan released him.
At the time, Arsenal were short in options in midfield and were also looking for someone who may be able to cover for Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs at full-back. He proved to be a bargain, playing a crucial role for Arsenal for three seasons and winning the 2014 and 2015 FA Cup.
Flamini made 93 appearances in his second spell, scoring five goals and assisting one. Given the number of matches he played, Arteta will hope any free agent will be as much of a bargain as Flamini.
Diego Costa
The old saying goes that you should keep your friends close but your enemies closer – and Diego Costa could be a solution for Arsenal.
Options are limited for the Gunners, but there are few strikers with Premier League experience available as free agents. Despite his disappointing spell at Wolves, Costa is still a natural born finisher who also offers bite, aggression and a mastery of the dark arts that all winners possess.
Another option could be a reunion with Carlos Vela, who scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in 62 appearances between 2008 and 2011. Vela has indeed been a prolific scorer in Major League Soccer, with 78 goals and 42 assists to his name. However, at the ripe age of 35, he is far from being the perfect choice.
