Olivier Giroud

Arsene Wenger has revealed that he was in the market for a striker last summer to complement Olivier Giroud but failed to make any headway in that regard.

The Gunners had a £40m plus £1 bid rejected for Luis Suarez by Liverpool last summer and also failed in their pursuance of Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, who went to Napoli.

The Gunners are perilously short up front, with Nicklas Bendtner and Giroud the only two recongnised strikers present at the club. An injury to Theo Walcott, which has ruled him out till the end of the season, is a major setback for Arsene Wenger who is looking to end his team's eight season trophy drought by securing the Premier league trophy for the first time in almost a decade.

Bendtner is also out till the end of January with an ankle injury leaving the Frenchman with only Giroud to fall back on to fill the striking role. However, Wenger concedes that they are short up front and will splash the cash if a player is made available during this period. The 64-year-old insists that he is looking for a striker to complement Giroud and also replace him in the squad if need be.

When asked if the lack of options up front a hindrance, Wenger said, "Yes, it is. That is why we are out there. (In the summer) I looked for a striker that could play with Giroud and without Giroud. In my mind it was not absolutely to replace Giroud: it was to play with or without him. We could have taken someone who plays up front and play in a 4-4-2."

"People want always new names. What is important for us is that Giroud is back. He was a bit tired recently but now he is refreshed, he is back, and I am sure he will have a major impact on the second part of the season."

He has qualities that the rest of the squad has not got. He always gives us that strength. We have small players who combine quickly, so to find someone who can hold it, keep the ball, make some room for other players, he does that very well. He gives us a very good balance," he concluded.

Arsene Wenger Luis suarez