The free agents Arsenal could sign as former transfer targets tipped to solve key issue | OneFootball

Star names are still available

Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton at the weekend has focused attention on the gaps in their squad heading into the international break.

The defending Premier League champions have slipped three points behind title rivals Manchester City and some fans fear that could get worse if obvious issues aren’t addressed.

Prime among them is a lack of depth in the centre-forward and left-wing positions.

Kai Havertz has started every Premier League game at the head of the attack so far and it appears Mikel Arteta is lacking trust in Viktor Gyokeres.

Meanwhile, the left-hand side – which saw Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli depart in the summer transfer window – seems to be relying heavily on new boy Christos Tzolis.

And while the transfer window may be closed until January, the Gunners do have the option of moving into the free-agent market. Here’s a look at some players who could be of interest…

Karim Benzema

The French great won the Champions League five times during his spell at Real Madrid, the most recent success helping him win the 2022 Ballon d’Or. However, he’s spent the last three years topping up his pension in the Saudi Pro League so would a move to the Premier League be too much at the age of 38? Is available on a free having had his contract with Al-Hilal cancelled by mutual consent last month.

Mauro Icardi

In terms of age, Icardi looks more likely to be able to handle the pace of the Premier League – the former Argentina international is only 33. Having previously played for Inter Milan and PSG, Icardi recently left Galatasaray and has been linked with Arsenal’s arch rivals, Tottenham. However, potential suitors may be put off by the many off-pitch distractions which have dogged his career.

Anthony Martial

Martial has plenty of experience of the Premier League, having made more than 200 appearances in it for Manchester United. However, his career has nose-dived since leaving Old Trafford and he was most recently playing for Monterrey in Mexico before becoming a free agent in June. Has been linked with a host of clubs in Europe – and reportedly turned down a big-money move to Libya – but none at the same level as Arsenal.

Wilfried Zaha

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Wilfried Zaha

Once heavily linked with a move to the Gunners, could Zaha still do a job as back-up to Tzolis on the left flank? Still only 33, the Ivory Coast international is known for his dribbling ability and wins plenty of fouls, which would work well with Arsenal’s set-piece strength. The former Crystal Palace man’s contract with Galatasaray expired recently. He was last seen on the field playing on loan for Charlotte in the MLS.

Jadon Sancho

There remains a feeling that the right manager could still get a tune out of a player who rose to prominence at such a young age and was capped by England as a teenager. He’s still only 26 and at the level he displayed at Borussia Dortmund in his early days, Sancho would arguably start in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team. However, a player who can play on both flanks has struggled since falling out with Erik ten Haag at Manchester United with recent loan spells at Chelsea and Aston Villa failing to revive his ailing career.