Wenger to Press: Spending on New Striker Depends on Bendtner Injury

Last year, during the January transfer window, Kieran Gibbs' injury prompted Arsenal to acquire Naxto Monreal -- a move that's given the Gunners handsome and serviceable left-back and left-wing play over the past year. A similar strategy might be in play for the Lingering Striker Question -- but it's contingent on knowing how long Nicklas Bendtner will be out.

In comments to the press, picked up by the Guardian and the Evening Standard, Wenger said that although Dimitar Berbatov isn't a name that he's considering right now, Arsenal might move for a striker if Bendtner can't return to the lineup anytime soon. (That means Balotelli and Chicharito rumors are still in play!) Of course, there's a coyness and a lower-your-expectations quality to Wenger's comments, meaning, you know, that Wenger is still very much Wenger and keeping a tight rein on what's actually going on behind closed doors.

If you need more transfer speculation to get you through your day, though, the Mirror's reporting (in live updates, no less) that Arsenal's moving in on Diego Costa and Chelsea's been rebuffed on a £50M bid for one-time Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain.