Arsenal and Liverpool Set for January Fight over England Striker - Report

Arsenal and Liverpool are set to embark on a January scrap for Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Gunners are in the market for a striker and have earmarked the England international as a possible candidate to fill their ranks. Arsene Wenger has realised that his bid to win the Premier League title will not come to fruition if they have to depend on Olivier Giroud to remain fit throughout the season.

The Frenchman learnt it the hard way when his side succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford. The defeat keeps Arsenal two points ahead at the top of the table while United cut their deficit to five points.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are also interested in signing the striker, whom they had actively pursued in the summer to replace Luis Suarez. Rodriguez can play as a central striker or on the wings and will be valuable addition to either side should he plan on jumping ship.

His performances this season has earned him an England call-up where he will be looking to impress manager Roy Hodgson and earn his right to be named in the squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Rodgers has promised that he will be in the market in January and is looking to add to his squad to improve his chances of securing a top four spot this season.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez believes that the Saints can aim for higher than third after beating all odds to secure a place in the top half of the table this season. Southampton have drawn with Manchester United at Old Trafford and beaten Liverpool at Anfield and are looking a force to reckon with this season.

"We put effort and hard work into it. It showed in the result there that we deserved it. We went to third and we still believe we can be higher. There are no limits for us, really. We've just got to keep impressing and working hard," the forward told Sky Sports.