Fabregas admitted the team had struggled at times this season

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has admitted the team needs a big physical presence up front to give them more threat in front of goal.

The midfielder told The Guardian their 3-0 Carling Cup loss to Manchester City highlighted a lack of options.

"We had a lot of possession but didn't have anyone to go in behind the defence apart from Carlos Vela," he said.

"We had lots of players who like the ball into their feet. Sometimes you need a different kind of option."

The Spanish midfielder picked out Chelsea's Didier Drogba as a prime example of how the presence of such a player could impact upon a whole side.

606: DEBATE Arsenal's search for a striker that hasn't played in the Champions League is not that hard. I have been watching Ligue 1 for two years now extensively, and there is some serious talent in there Gunner Baabs

Speaking about Chelsea's 3-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in November, Fabregas said: "Overall, I saw a Chelsea team that was normal but a team that has probably the best striker in the world.

"An average team that has the best striker in the world can always do something and Didier Drogba makes all the difference."

With striker Robin van Persie out for five months because of an ankle injury, manager Arsene Wenger is short of options in attack, with Niklas Bendtner also out with a groin injury and Eduardo absent for Saturday's victory against Stoke.

Having also lost Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City in the summer, Wenger has stated he is keen to sign a striker in the January transfer window, though insists he will not be held to ransom.

Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh and Italy Under-21 star Mario Balotelli have been linked with moves to the Emirates.

"We will be out on the market that is for sure - however, we will only make a decision if it suits us," said Wenger.

Van Persie scored eight goals in 11 matches this season before being injured on international duty for the Netherlands on 14 November.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version