Arsenal have seen another opportunity to end their near five-year trophy drought fall away.

Mikel Arteta's team found themselves in an excellent position during Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash at home to Manchester United. The Gunners played against 10 men for over an hour with the score at 1-1 but were unable to capitalise.

In the end, Arsenal were left disappointed again after losing on penalties. It followed last Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle in the Carabao cup semi-final first leg, leaving Arteta's team with a mountain to climb if they are to reach the final.

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Meanwhile, Arsenal remain six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool in the title race having also played a game more than Arne Slot's side. So who should the Gunners sign to help end their long wait for silverware success? Writers at football.london have had their say below...

Alexander Isak would be the dream signing. The Newcastle striker has Premier League experience, and at 24, he is only likely to get better. The Swedish forward is unlikely to get anywhere near the numbers Erling Haaland has got for Manchester City in previous seasons, but that may not matter if the Gunners can rediscover their defensive solidity.

Viktor Gyokeres would be an excellent alternative but his experience is outside of the Premier League. It's likely that he would be a success in the top flight, but it feels less of a guarantee than Isak.

It feels like Arsenal are being patient for Isak having not signed a striker in the summer. Abandoning that plan at this stage wouldn't make sense, even if the Gunners are currently struggling.

I think the ideal decision would be to bring in a new striker - the Gunners haven't been great in front of goal this season even before Gabriel Jesus' injury. But it's difficult to see a big move happening and having the sort of instant impact required unless they really spend big - and probably overpay.

Alexander Isak would probably have the easiest adaptation of all those linked, but they're not going to pay £150million to sign him. Victor Osimhen's situation is complicated by his loan move to Galatasaray - it wouldn't be impossible to get a deal done, but it would be difficult and take a lot of negotiation. It may even take the entire two weeks remaining to get that move done.

Nico Williams looks to be the most popular target at Arsenal, but would be a problem given his high wages at Athletic Club. I don't realistically think the Gunners could sanction what looks a cut-price move for around £50million and then ask him to take a wage cut on his current deal while entrusting him to be a key starter. Also, his goal return this season hasn't been great - Arsenal need someone who will come in and start scoring immediately.

Then it comes down to the next targets. Viktor Gyokeres has been linked for some time, but would he rather wait until the summer and link up with Ruben Amorim again at Manchester United? He knows the system there and it could work out better for him. And Arsenal would likely have to pay his release clause in January - a big up-front cost - or overpay to get favourable terms, closer to £90million or £100million.

Then it's the likes of Benjamin Sesko, who looks really promising and scored a fantastic goal this weekend. He seems the most realistic candidate in January, it's just whether Arsenal are desperate enough to sanction a move for someone who probably wouldn't be their first-choice candidate in the summer.

Before Gabriel Jesus' injury scare emerged, I believed Arsenal needed to bring in a player of Nico Williams' profile. However, with Jesus out, they simply have to sign someone who can slot in at centre-forward.

As comes with every January transfer window, signing a number nine of the quality they need. As mentioned above, Isak is the obvious and he showed exactly what he can do at the Emirates Stadium last week. But Newcastle aren't going to sell.

is another option but there's a gentlemen's agreement with Sporting CP for him to leave in the summer. Osimhen is probably the best striker available and if they do sign the Nigerian, you would have to ask why they didn't do all they could in the summer.

Players such as Lautaro Martinez, Lois Openda, Dusan Vlahovic, Ollie Watkins and Sesko are all improvements to what Arsenal have but will be tough to sign this month. Potential loans must be considered,

I personally like Jonathan David, whose contract at Lille expires in June. He wouldn't cost loads and like many others on this list, has been on the club's radar for some time.

Sometimes the solution in the transfer market is obvious and so obvious that it must be explored. That said obvious solution is to go full throttle for Alexander Isak.

Yes, Newcastle's valuation of the striker is high and if reports are to be believed it could be as high as £150m. However, the Gunners have the lure of regular Champions League football, a Premier League title race and the potential to increase his wages.

Ultimately, the Gunners will not be able to jump to the next level without signing a striker and this should have been addressed in the summer transfer window. It was not and now the situation is even more desperate considering Gabriel Jesus' injury concern.

It has been a while since Arsenal splashed the cash on a proven goalscorer and that lack of investment is holding them back. Isak is the standout striker in European football right now and that is a deal Arsenal really need to get done.