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MIKEL ARTETA CONFIRMS ARSENAL LOOKING INTO SIGNING FREE AGENT AFTER SIX OPTIONS EMERGE

Mikel Arteta could enter the free agent market after losing Kai Havertz to injury (Image: Arsenal FC)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was giving nothing away when he was asked how the club plan to deal with the absence of Kai Havertz, who will not play again this season

Mikel Arteta is refusing to rule anything out after losing Kai Havertz for the rest of the season as Arsenal weigh up entering the free agent market.

The Gunners were already light on attacking options before Havertz tore his hamstring during the club's warm-weather training camp in Dubai. The Germany star was Arsenal's sole recognised senior striker, leaving Arteta with a major problem.

With no new striker signed in the January transfer window, Arteta will now have to weigh up his options. And while that could mean playing somebody out of position, a surprise new signing is another option.

When he was asked if Arsenal would look at the free agent market, Arteta responded: “We’ll explore every possible situation and make a decision from there.”

While Arteta and Arsenal may be open to the idea of exploring the free agent market, it remains to be seen if there are any viable options that the club would consider, even in their current plight.

Former Gunner Carlos Vela, now 35, is one of a handful of unattached players who could be available to ease Arsenal's striker crisis.

Ex-Chelsea man Diego Costa has Premier League experience but didn't make much of an impact after signing a short-term deal with Wolves back in 2022 when they were experiencing a striker crisis of their own.

Havertz will not play again this season after tearing his hamstring ( Image: Getty Images)

Leandro Damiao, Lucas Perez, Mariano Diaz and Maxi Gomez are some of the other forwards currently without a club. None, though, would be considered good enough to lead the line for Arsenal in different circumstances, which underlines the dilemma Arteta and the club currently face.

After stressing that any free agent would have to be able to 'play at our level' and contribute to the team both on and off the pitch, Arteta was asked if, in hindsight, failing to sign a striker in January was a mistake.

"We always put in that situation that we were one or two injuries away from a very risky situation," he responded.

"But when you try your best and think you have done everything you are capable of and have done your homework and try that and don’t achieve it you can have regrets but at least you know you have done it."

- Dan Marsh

ERLING HAALAND IS ON 🔥

BRAZIL'S BOTAFOGO SQUANDERS A 13-POINT LEAD TO LOSE NATIONAL LEAGUE TITLE

AP Photo 

SAO PAULO (AP) — There's an old saying in Brazilian soccer: some things only happen to Botafogo.

The reference to the club's historic lack of luck has never rung more true than this year.

The club of World Cup winning greats like Mané Garrincha, Jairzinho and Mário Zagallo squandered a 13-point lead in the Brazilian league and now Palmeiras is very likely to defend its title on Wednesday. It's the first time a team has lost such a big advantage in the South American nation's top flight.

The last round will take place without any hopes for Botafogo fans at Internacional but to finish in fourth position, which would be enough to secure a direct spot at the next Copa Libertadores. The Rio de Janeiro club is currently fifth.

Botafogo was on the top of the standings for 31 of 38 rounds, giving long-suffering supporters confidence their club would lift its first national title since 1995.

But now Palmeiras is in a position where it doesn't necessarily have to win its last game to secure another title. Even with a loss at Cruzeiro, Palmerias can clinch the league as long as Atletico Mineiro doesn't erase a differential of eight goals.

JOHN TERRY ON DIEGO COSTA NOT BEING SIGNED

 

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