Arsenal have been told if they want to win their first Premier League title since 2004 they should sign Cristiano Ronaldo in January. The Portuguese forward is currently available on a free transfer after his release from Manchester United last month.
The Gunners look likely to seek a short term replacement for Gabriel Jesus after the Brazilian was confirmed to be out of action for a couple of months. The striker sustained a knee injury in his nation's final World Cup group stage game against Cameroon and has undergone surgery that will see him sidelined for the foreseeable.
Mikel Arteta confirmed after watching his side win the Dubai Super Cup on Tuesday that the club are "looking at the possibilities" of making any mid-season signings. It's understood that the Spaniard was keen to add a new central midfielder and winger to his squad prior to Jesus' injury, but the number nine position may require immediate attention.
READ MORE: What Mikel Arteta was spotted doing with Arsenal target Ismael Bennacer after friendly win
One player that has been linked with a move to north London is Ronaldo. The 37-year-old departed United prior to the World Cup kicking-off last month after his controversial TV interview with Piers Morgan but has been reluctant to discuss his future during his participation in Qatar.
After seeing his World Cup dreams dashed on Saturday by Morocco, Ronaldo is set to the source of topic amongst many ahead of the January transfer window, and posted a cryptic message about his future. And former Premier League right-back Glen Johnson has urged the Gunners to consider bringing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to the club.
"In terms of a short-term solution, then yes, definitely," Johnson said to GGRecon after being asked if the move should be considered.
"Jesus is class, and if Arsenal is going to win the league, and if Jesus is going to be out for three months, then you don't have three months to wait if you're trying to win a Premier League title.
"To sign Ronaldo on a short-team deal would represent a sensible option."
A move for Ronaldo seems very unlikely given Arsenal's recent history in the transfer window. In the summer, technical director Edu told football.london that signings are likely to have an eye on the future. Ronaldo would not be that. "Part of the plan is when you are starting to sell the players, that’s the challenging one," Edu said. "You already need someone prepared. [If we can then] sell, [and if] we are able to do that and then chapeau. It’s very challenging.
"For example, let’s talk about next season or another. If we sell, I don’t know, Bukayo Saka - that’s not going to happen but it’s just an example. If we’re going to sell Bukayo Saka, we as a club have to prepare his replacement straight away. So someone has to be in the squad or we have to manage the market well so if we sell we have him, we have someone straight away to replace him in our model."
READ NEXT:
Stan Kroenke faces new Arsenal takeover threat as world’s 10th richest person shows interest
Arsenal’s Beth Mead and Bukayo Saka chase down Mohamed Salah to become Fans' Footballer of 2022
Real Madrid eye Arsenal £21m transfer in plan for Liverpool target Jude Bellingham
Why Arsenal and England hero Bukayo Saka should win 2022 Fans' Footballer of the Year award
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
