Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger Claims Strikers Not Available in January

Despite seeing Arsenal fail to score for the third Premier League game in a row, Arsene Wenger has defended his decision not to sign a striker in the January transfer window.

The Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw by Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. It's a result that continued the club's worst run in front of goal in almost seven years, according to WhoScored.com:

Still, Wenger doesn't think he could or should have signed a striker during the winter window.

Speaking to reporters after the stalemate with the Saints, Wenger insisted it's not easy to find a top finisher, per Goal's Greg Stobart: "If you knew a world-class striker who could strengthen our team, you should have told me. They don’t walk in the street and say, ‘I’m a world-class striker, please take me.’ They are all under contract at big clubs."

Wenger may have a point, but he's unlikely to find much sympathy for his view. Not after taking just three points from 12 in the league has seen the Gunners slip to fourth and five points adrift of league leaders Leicester City.

He may not believe he could have signed a striker to solve the problem, but Wenger isn't shy about blaming his current options for Arsenal's struggles in front of goal.

Speaking after the Saints left north London with a point, Wenger lamented poor finishing, according to Patrick Surlis of Sky Sports: "The chances that were created were good, but our finishing was poor and at the end of the day we paid for that."

Arsenal's case hasn't been helped by the goals drying up for natural centre-forward Olivier Giroud. He hasn't scored in three league matches.

Speaking of three, that's the paltry total number of league goals Theo Walcott has managed all season, per ESPN FC.

Even other options such as Joel Campbell and Danny Welbeck—who will soon return from injury, per James Benge of the London Evening Standard—aren't natural finishers.

The lack of quality behind Giroud is why ex-player Paul Merson stated that his old club needed a forward in January, per Sky Sports.

The Gunners have been linked with Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani, per ESPN (h/t Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star). It's the kind of move many fans will expect, especially if the lack of a prolific striker costs the Gunners trophies this season.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

A quick look at the table reveals exactly why Arsenal are falling off the pace. Wenger's men have scored just 37 times this season, according to the league's official site.

One statistic from Squawka sums up how frustrating it's been for Arsenal in front of goal recently:

That number pretty strongly suggests that Wenger's squad is missing a predatory finisher. He doesn't have one while Giroud has gone off the boil, and Walcott has flattered to deceive.

It's too late for help this season, but Wenger will be making a big mistake if he ignores this obvious need come the summer window.