Arsene Wenger says he’s aware that back-up to Olivier Giroud is in short supply, but suggested he might not be active in the January transfer window.

‘Arsenal need a striker’ is a common theme of discussion these days, but we know Wenger is very much his own man. In the year everybody was clamouring for him to buy a centre-half in January, he bought a diminutive Russian playmaker instead.

Wenger believes that the returns of Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott will ease the burden on Giroud, and expressed concern about Nicklas Bendtner’s ability to perform because of his desire to leave the club.

“Theo gives us qualities that other players haven’t got,” he said.

“It’s a different option. It gives us options to score, to go behind to create space in the middle. We have missed that, maybe, but we have not done too badly. Podolski also shouldn’t be too far now.”

As for making a January signing, the Arsenal boss said, “Look I am not against it, but it is always difficult in the middle of the season. If somebody is doing well somewhere the clubs do not necessarily want to sell him. They can wait until the end of the season.

“Most of the time it is because we didn’t find the right player.”

Wenger is aware of how important Giroud is, saying, “If we lose Giroud we have nobody with body weight up front apart from Bendtner. I think he has the level but at the moment he doesn’t get enough games. And as well, in his head, is he here? Has he planned to go?”

So, it’s not an ideal situation, but anyone expecting the club to spend big in January was always likely to be disappointed. Anyway, this is one that is going to run for some time, today we have to concentrate on beating Southampton.