Arsenal link with £15million C.Cole

West Ham’s Carlton Cole is being linked with a £15million move to Arsenal according to the the Daily Mirror. Arsenal are desperately lacking in strikers after Robin van Persie was ruled out for the season. Nicklas Bendtner is not expected back for a few weeks and Eduardo is struggling with his fitness and his form as he endures his longest goal-drought in an Arsenal shirt. The situation is so bad that Arsene Wenger was forced to play Andrei Arshavin as a lone striker against Stoke on Saturday with the young Mexican Carlos Vela the only option from the bench.

Cole himself is injured and not is expected to return till the New Year but he has been in great form this season and Arsenal are lacking a player with his considerable power. West Ham are not looking to sell their star-striker given their delicatge position in the league but their financial situation is no secret and their resolve will be sorely tested by a bid in the region of £15million.

The England international has really found his form in the last 12 months and is highly rated both by Gianfranco Zola and England boss Fabio Capello. Arsene Wenger is notoriously thrifty and will only spend money if he believes a player can really improve his side and Cole’s ability to hold up the ball and physically impose himself on defenders would certainly add something to Arsenal’s game. Unlike many of the other strikers being linked with Arsenal, Cole would be available for the Champions League.