Arsenal look to bolster striking options with move for Morata

Arsenal are set to boost their bid to win the Premier League with a loan move for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata.

The Gunners, who have not won the title since 2004, are currently making all the running in the race for league glory staying four points clear at the top of the table after a 3-0  away win against Cardiff.

But fears still remain about Arsene Wenger’s over-reliance on striker Olivier Giroud to lead the line for the north London club, with the hapless Nicklas Bendtner the only alternative to the French international.

Theo Walcott’s return from injury and the imminent return to fitness of Germany star Lukas Podolski have eased the pressure slightly on the French striker, but it is no secret Wenger is desperate to bolster his forward options.

Arsenal, who were linked with moves for the likes of  Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney and Karim Benzema in the summer, are still in the market for a world class finisher but with Wenger not known for making bold additions in the January transfer window, a six-month loan deal for Spanish striker Morata could be an ideal stop-gap.

The 21-year-old is desperate for first-team football after starting just one La Liga match for Los Blancos this term and with Giroud in need of urgent support, a move to the Emirates could be appealing for the former Atlético Madrid and Getafe youngster.

Despite limited game time, Morata has scored two La Liga goals this season and is thought of as one of the hottest prospects in Spanish football, having hit 11 goals in 12 appearances for Spain’s under-21 side.

The forward also showed his eye for a goal in Real Madrid’s B side, firing 45 goals in 83 appearances for Los Merengues’ second-string.

This is the sort of firepower that Wenger will be desperate to add to his Arsenal squad as they look to win their first Premier League crown in 10 years.

The Gunners are 13/5 with Ladbrokes to lift the trophy in May and if Morata can fill a perceived void in their squad it will be difficult to oppose them in their bid for glory.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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