Arsene Wenger is searching  for a striker in the January transfer window as   a replacement for injured striker Robin van Persie.

Van persie has suffered an ankle ligament injury while on international duty and is now facing surgery andover four months on the sidelines.

The dutchman’s absence has left the Gunners short of firepower and they have limped to defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea to leave doubts in their Premier League title challenge .

Among those rumoured to be on Arsenal boss list are  Bordeaux’s Marouane Chamakh and Real Madrid’s Ruud van Nistelroo.

according to the club’s website : “Van Persie’s injury has to affect my thoughts for January. I didn’t feel we were needing to buy anybody but we will be out in the market, that is for sure.”