text: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has shot down reports that he didn't make any conscious effort to sign a striker in the January transfer window, by saying no world-class forwards were available.
  
  
  
  
  
  The Gunners' profligacy has seen them fall down the pecking order in the title race, with Arsenal now fourth in the Premier League - five points behind leaders Leicester City - having failed to find the back of the net in their last three league fixtures.
  
  One huge element of frustration for Arsenal fans was that while the club bolstered their ranks in the January transfer window on a midfielder in 23-year-old Mohamed Elneny for £7m from Basel, but didn't sign a striker they feel the club so desperately needs.
  
  
  
  
  
  Speaking to reporters as covered by ​Football Fan Cast, Wenger admitted he did try and make efforts to bring a striker into the Emirates, but it had to be one who he deemed was world-class and frankly, none were available for him to snap up.
  
  ​“If you knew a world-class striker who could have strengthened our team, you should have told me before the transfer deadline was over,” Wenger said.
  
  
  
  
  
  “They do not walk in the street and say “please, here is a world-class striker, can you take me?” They are all at big clubs and are under contract.
  
  
  
  
  
  “There were none available. If tonight we think a miracle man could have scored the goal for us, I think it’s better we think how can we score the goals with the players we have. We can score goals, we have shown that before.”
  
  Arsenal have their work cut out for them if they are to win their first title since 2004 having slipped to five points behind the summit, though they do still have to play both Leicester City and Manchester City before the end of the season.