Jackson Martinez Open for Emirates Switch After Issuing Come and Get Me Plea to Arsenal

Arsenal have been given an edge over Chelsea in signing FC Porto star Jackson Martinez. The striker admitted that he would not hesitate to switch to the Emirates, if there was an interest from the Gunners for his services.

The Colombian striker has been a transfer target for Jose Mourinho's Chelsea as the Europa League winners were keen on adding the 27-year-old to boost their strike force. Martinez has already expressed his desire to feature in the Premier League, with a view of a possible move in January.

The striker has been in impressive form since joining the Portuguese champions in 2012 and has been attracting interest from English clubs. Martinez revealed that he supported Arsenal during his childhood and has issued a come and get me plea to Arsene Wenger.

"I cheered for Arsenal when I was a kid – I love their style of play. It's flowing and open with a lot of first touch passes. It would be suitable for a player like me. If I get a chance to play for a high level club like Arsenal I wouldn't hesitate to accept it," the Mirror quoted Martinez as saying.

Arsenal have Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner as the senior strikers in the squad. However, the two are out on the sidelines after picking up injuries during the festive season. Wenger had admitted that if the Dane is ruled out for long, he would be forced to make an entry into the transfer market to make a striker signing.

Arsenal won the FA Cup third round fixture 2-0 against Tottenham Hotspur, during which Theo Walcott was forced to leave the field on a stretcher. The Frenchman confirmed Bendtner will be out of action for a month and has hinted that he would be looking to bring in new faces to the Emirates in January.

"For Bendtner, it will be for one month, we expected it could have been more, but we had good news. With Theo, he has a knee problem. We don't know if it is a stretched ligament or just a kick, he got two kicks onto his knee," Wenger explained.

"Of course if we lose Theo for a longer period, it is a problem. I am waiting to see now who walks out there and knocks at the door, waiting to come in, but honestly, do we find better than the players that we have got?"