Arsenal’s Six Bleak Free Agent Options They Can Sign Now After Kai Havertz Nightmare Comes True

Arsenal’s season has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, with injuries ravaging Mikel Arteta’s squad and leaving the team dangerously short of attacking options. What started as a promising campaign has now been overshadowed by a growing injury crisis that threatens to derail their title ambitions. The latest and perhaps most devastating setback is Kai Havertz’s injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Havertz’s absence is just one part of the nightmare scenario Arsenal currently faces. Gabriel Jesus has already been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Bukayo Saka is still recovering from hamstring surgery and is not yet ready to return. To make matters worse, Gabriel Martinelli is now expected to miss at least a month of football due to an injury of his own.

With three of their main attacking options unavailable, Arteta now has limited choices in the final third. Arsenal had an opportunity to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, but they failed to land a reinforcement despite being linked with several top forwards. A move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins fell through, and the club opted against making a last-minute panic buy.

Now, with the transfer window closed, Arsenal is left with one last option—turning to the free agent market. While the available options are far from ideal, they may provide Arteta with a temporary solution to avoid a complete collapse in attack.

The free agent pool does not offer any high-profile names, but Arsenal could still look to experienced players who are currently without a club. Given the urgency of the situation, Arteta may have no choice but to consider some of these unconvincing but available options.

1. Mariano Diaz

Once considered one of Real Madrid’s promising forwards, Mariano Diaz is now searching for a club after being released by Sevilla last season. The 31-year-old played a role in Madrid’s Champions League-winning squads in 2017 and 2022 but never managed to establish himself as a regular starter. Despite his struggles, Mariano offers experience and has played at the highest level. However, questions remain about his ability to perform consistently.

2. Maxi Gómez

Uruguayan striker Maxi Gómez is another option Arsenal could consider. The 28-year-old has a respectable record in La Liga, having scored 50 goals during spells with Celta Vigo and Valencia. However, his recent form has been concerning. He struggled at Trabzonspor and failed to score a single goal during a loan spell at Cádiz last season. While he has a history of being a reliable target man, Arsenal would be taking a gamble on a striker who has not performed at his best in recent years.

3. Carlos Vela

A familiar name for Arsenal fans, Carlos Vela never truly fulfilled his potential at the club but went on to become a star in Major League Soccer. The 35-year-old Mexican forward is Los Angeles FC’s all-time top scorer, with 78 goals in 152 league games. However, he has not played since leaving LAFC in October 2024, and at his age, it’s uncertain if he could adapt to the demands of the Premier League once again.

4. Lucas Perez

Another former Arsenal player, Lucas Perez, could be an option if Arteta is looking for a quick fix. The Spanish forward scored a Champions League hat-trick during his first season in North London but never cemented his place in the squad. Now 36, Perez left Deportivo La Coruña earlier this year for personal reasons, and it’s unclear whether he would even be open to a return to football outside of Spain.

5. Diego Costa

A controversial but experienced option, Diego Costa is currently without a club after leaving Gremio in December. Once a dominant force in the Premier League with Chelsea, Costa’s form has declined significantly in recent years. He had a forgettable spell with Wolves in 2022, managing just one goal in 23 appearances. While his aggressive playing style could add some bite to Arsenal’s attack, his fitness and effectiveness at the highest level remain major concerns.

6. Leandro Damião

A name that once regularly appeared in Premier League transfer rumors, Leandro Damião is now 35 and searching for a new club after leaving Coritiba. The Brazilian forward was once linked with Tottenham but never made the move to England. While he has had some success in Brazil, he has been out of competitive action for months, making him a highly unlikely solution to Arsenal’s problems.

Arsenal’s decision to avoid making a January signing has left them in a precarious position, and the free-agent market offers few inspiring options. However, with a lack of available forwards in the squad, Arteta may have no choice but to take a risk on one of these players.

Despite the bleak choices, signing an experienced free agent could at least provide some depth until key players return from injury. The club will need to make a decision quickly, as their attacking struggles could significantly impact their push for silverware this season.

While fans may not be excited by any of these options, the reality is that Arsenal must find a way to cope with their current crisis. Arteta’s tactical adjustments and the performances of the remaining squad members will be crucial in determining whether the Gunners can still compete at the highest level despite their injury setbacks.