Arsenal need to find a new Robin van Persie. That could be a sensitive topic at the Emirates, where the former Dutch striker was underrated rather than loved after leaving to join Manchester United for £24 million in 2012.
However, if Arsenal find a striker who can do what Van Persie has contributed to at Old Trafford, their thirst for Premier League titles will soon end.
Van Persie left the Emirates after being frustrated with his continued failure to win a title. Instead, Van Persie has signed for Man United, where his 26 goals brought Sir Alex Ferguson's last and most recent Premier League title in Man United's 2012-13 season.
Sometimes a signing can make the difference. Eric Cantona transformed Man United from mid-table football to champions in 1992-93, and Van Persie made a similar impact 20 years later.
After two second-place finishes behind Manchester City in the title race in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, Arteta's Arsenal now see themselves in the position that Ferguson's Man United escaped by signing Cantona and Van Persie. More worrying for Arsenal is that both Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling are now facing many weeks out after being injured.
But while Arsenal's lack of a reliable centre-forward has been a problem for nearly two years, they have yet to address it.
Man City's strength and dominance - not to mention Erling Haaland's goals - may have prevented Arsenal from winning their last two Premier League titles. However, with the Citizens struggling this season, Arsenal's failure to strengthen their attack seems to have cost them another trophy.
At the moment, Arne Slot's Liverpool are breaking through at the top of the table thanks in large part to the 15 Premier League goals that Mohamed Salah has scored.
Kai Havertz is Arsenal's top scorer in the league this season with just six goals. The German striker is currently 14th in the race for the Golden Boot, while Saka is 22nd with five goals.
If Arteta had signed a proven striker, the disappointing draws against Brighton, Fulham and Everton - as well as the defeats against Man City and Liverpool - could have had more positive results. Arsenal could then head into 2025 with a much better chance of becoming Premier League champions for the first time since 2004.
But is it really easy to find a modern-day Van Persie or Cantona? Or do Arsenal have to go back in time and discover another Ian Wright, Nicolas Anelka or Thierry Henry?
