Latest Arsenal transfer news: Draxler attack as Wenger hunts new 'Van Persie'

Arsene Wenger has been linked with a move for Schalke 04 star Julian Draxler since the summer of 2013.

As the reality of a Chelsea and Manchester City squad much deeper than Wenger’s looms large over the Gunners’ now-realistic Premier League hopes, the hope for Arsenal fans is that an extra striker will be brought in this January.

The name strongly emanating from the Emirates once again is Julian Draxler.

Draxler has a £40million release clause from Schalke, and Arsenal could be willing to trigger it .

Giroud’s return only boosts Arsenal's title hopes and now Wenger needs to cement them.

"What is most important, for Olivier Giroud and for me, is the team produces a good collective performance.

"Whether he scores or somebody else, we have plenty of people who can score and for me it is always most important that we play the football we want to play, and after anybody can score in my team," Wenger said before Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

With England winger Theo Walcott out for the season with a knee injury and Danish forward Nicklas Bendtner sidelined with an ankle injury, Wenger's scoring options are limited.

According to the Daily Mail, Draxler, 20, who plays as an attacking midfielder for Schalke, is seen in the Robin Van Persie, Thierry Henry mode of eventually having the attributes to play as a centre forward.

Arsenal’s hope of landing Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata have been more or less ended by Carlo Ancelotti.

It now seems Draxler or bust for Wenger.

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