Football: Arsenal seeking 'special' forward, Wenger says

Arsenal's French striker Olivier Giroud (right) vies with Chelsea's Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London, on Dec 23, 2013. Arsenal manager Ar
Arsenal's French striker Olivier Giroud (right) vies with Chelsea's Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London, on Dec 23, 2013. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that his side will be on the look-out for a "special" forward during the January transfer window. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP

LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that his side will be on the look-out for a "special" forward during the January transfer window.

The North London club finished 2013 on top of the Premier League table, but they have been heavily dependent on France international Olivier Giroud to lead the line.

Denmark's Nicklas Bendtner, who has spent the last two seasons out on loan, is the only other orthodox frontman in the Arsenal squad and Wenger concedes that a new striker is his top transfer priority.

"We are like many clubs, certainly on alert," Wenger said.

"If something special turns up we will not turn it down, but we are not as well desperate because we have a big depth in our squad.

"We have shown that because our midfield at West Ham and at Newcastle was completely different - we changed three players and we still managed to have a very strong team."

Wenger added: "I am quite confident with our squad. As has been mentioned, maybe up front we are a bit shorter with specialised people because most of the big clubs have three specialised central strikers.

"We have only two because (Yaya) Sanogo is not ready yet, so maybe if that something special opportunity turns up, we will not turn it down, but everywhere else we are in no need at all (to buy)."

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