Five Strikers Wenger Must Consider As Fans Turn On Bendtner

After Arsenal fell to a 1-0 loss to Manchester United on Sunday there was an immediate clamour for manager Arsene Wenger to bring in another striker in the January transfer window.

While Olivier Giroud has excelled as the lone centre forward in the early stages of the season, there is very little available in reserve as shown by Nicklas Bendtner's introduction at Old Trafford. The Dane may have an impressive record on the international stage but he has struggled to win over the Arsenal faithful since returning from a forgetful loan spell at Juventus.

Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis suggested that the club would invest in a new striker in January but who are the genuine options available? IBTimes UK has picked out five strikers who could be on Arsene Wenger's shopping list come January.

Robert Lewandowski - Borussia Dortmund

The Poland international is out of contract next summer and can speak to foreign clubs in January in order to sign a pre-contract agreement. But with Dortmund currently sitting third in their Champions League group and elimination a real threat, Lewandowski may decide that the right time to leave is in the new year. While he would be unable to play for Arsenal in the European competition he would provide stiff competition for Giroud and his goals would certainly help their league form. There will undoubtedly be plenty of competition for his signature but having seen Mesut Ozil make the move this summer, he may be convinced that they have the ambition to be a major force both domestically and in Europe.

Christian Benteke - Aston Villa

The Belgian scored 19 goals in his first season in England and this year has three goals in just five Premier League games. He may have signed a new contract in the summer but his willingness to hand in a transfer request last summer shows that he has the desire to play for a big club. Villa were unprepared to let him leave for less than £20m and this valuation will only have increased so he certainly will not be cheap. However, he is used to playing as a lone striker and has already demonstrated his ability while playing for a struggling side. With better players around him you can expect even more goals and at just 22 years of age he will only improve.

Miroslav Klose - Lazio

The German may be 35-years-old but he still has plenty to offer as seen by his 15 league goals for Lazio last season. Klose has a wealth of experience at the very highest level and has always scored goals, whether in Germany, Italy, playing in the Champions League or even a World Cup. The former Bayern Munich striker is coming towards the end of his career and one last opportunity to play at a major European club would be hard to turn down. He will likely provide stiff competition for Giroud but not react as badly as another young high profile forward who would not want to play second fiddle. Klose would be a cheap option and could immediately make a difference for Arsenal in their race to finally end their long run without a trophy.

Leandro Damiao - Internacional

The Brazilian seems to have been linked with Tottenham for around two years but he has remained with Internacional and perhaps January will be the time when he finally makes the move to Europe. A powerful figure with no shortage of skill, Damiao is another who would command a handsome fee but has age on his side and plenty of potential. The 24-year-old is eager to catch the eye ahead of the World Cup and would be eligible to play in the Champions League in he arrived in the new year. With six goals in last season's Copa Libertadores he has shown he can score at the highest level and may well decide the time is right to showcase his talent in the Premier League.

Emmanuel Adebayor - Tottenham

We agree, this is the least likely option. We also understand that a move from Tottenham is highly unlikely and that Adebayor may well be even more unpopular than Bendtner. But the Togo international has a proven track record in the Premier League and has often made an initial impact when he has first arrived at a club and is playing for his future. He is an out-and-out forward who would make for a more than adequate alternative to Giroud. There are difficulties in the deal; would Spurs sell to a top four rival? and would Wenger take him back? But stranger things have happened in football.