Mikel Arteta's top transfer priority made clear as Arsenal star drops exit hint

Mikel Arteta has been urged to make signing a striker a top priority in the January transfer window.

Kai Havertz is currently leading the line for , who allowed in the summer. The German this season, though the Gunners have scored fewer goals than all but one of the top eight in the table.

With that in mind, the competition's record scorer Alan Shearer believes Arteta's side is crying out for a goalscoring striker. The legend has urged the Gunners to add such a player in .

While Shearer praised Havertz for his performances this season, the former England captain insisted he is not a long-term solution. Instead, Arteta has been urged to buy a new first-choice striker.

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"I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen with Kai Havertz this season. I wouldn’t call him a traditional centre-forward, he’s what I call a ‘modern forward’, versatile and athletic," Shearer told .

"But in terms of leading the line, bringing people into the game and winning balls in the air, he’s doing all of those things. It’s been a difficult past few games for Arsenal. I did say that I hope for their sake they sign a centre-forward, but I think he’s done as well as he could.

"I’ve not changed my view since last season. They’ve got and Gabriel Jesus in there, but I’d still say they need an out-and-out centre-forward. They needed one in the summer and they still do now."

HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should be Arsenal's top target in the January transfer window? .

Shearer's tip comes as Gabriel Jesus, currently playing back-up to Havertz, admitted he is unhappy with his current role in the team. The Brazilian even hinted that he could look to depart if his game-time does not increase.

“Well, I believe that not only me, but any player, all players, want to have more minutes. I’m obviously never going to cause anything in the club," Jesus said following the defeat to Inter Milan.

"I’m going to try to demonstrate on a daily basis, in training, and when I get into the games, have my chance, and do my thing and trust that things will happen. I’ve always made it very clear that I want to improve, that I want to try to do my best and help Arsenal.

“Obviously, my moment is not the best, it’s not the moment I wanted, that I would like, but as I said, I’m working on my own, trying to do my best, and get more minutes to play, but that’s a consequence of my training.

"It’s a consequence of the way I get in and leave the decision to the coach. I believe in my potential, and I also know that the fight for my place in Arsenal is big, but I also believe that I can help a lot.”

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