Arsenal could look to strengthen their attack in the January window with a loan-move for Juventus striker Fernando Llorente in an effort to maintain their Premier League title assault for the remainder of the season.

Manager Arsene Wenger has elected to start striker Olivier Giroud in each of their 10 Premier League matches so far this season, with competition up-front coming from the seriously inconsistent Nicklas Bendtner and the unproven Yaya Sanogo, who been given just 39 minutes of competitive football this season.

Reports are suggesting that the Gunners have already begun talks with the Italian league champions Juventus over a loan for the Spaniard, who has seen his first team opportunities somewhat limited due to the availability of Carlos Tevez, Fabio Quagliarella and Mirko Vucinic.

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Arsenal failed rather publicly in their attempt to sign Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in the summer, with their Premier League rivals rejecting two bids from the current league table-toppers – the second of £40m plus £1 infuriating the Reds hierarchy.

They also missed out on Gonzalo Higuian after a proposed move from Real Madrid fell through once the Spanish club bumped the price up to £34m, with Champions League opposition Napoli splashing out to land the Argentinian instead. Interest in Stevan Jovetic and Wayne Rooney also came to nothing, while a deadline day loan-move for Chelsea striker Demba Ba was called off at the last minute, with both clubs refusing to take the blame for the failed switch.

Wenger is keen to land a top quality striker in the transfer window to provide a stimulus for Giroud to maintain his good start to the campaign, as well as provide cover should anything happen to the Frenchman.

Llorente began the season out of favour with manager Antonio Conte, with Tevez and Vucinic proving to be his favoured partnership leading his line. However, Llorente has since made seven starts for the Italian club, including a run of four straight starts, although he was dropped for the weekend’s 1-0 victory over Parma.

AC Milan’s Stephan El Shaarawy is also said to be on their radar, although the 21-year-old Italian is currently on the sidelines with a foot injury. His youth, pace and versatility is said to attract Arsenal though, and he has been scouted out as a long-term option which could go ahead in the summer.

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