Michu, Griezmann or defender – Arsenal need numbers for March

Olivier Giroud looks out on his feet, key defender Laurent Koscielny faces a spell on the sidelines with a deep knee laceration and Aaron Ramsey surely can’t keep his form so far this season up until May.

Not only will the cluttered Xmas Premier League fixture list pile the pressure on Arsenal’s squad, but a three-week episode in March is expected to have an even bigger say on the silverware the Gunners collect this season.

Arsenal’s odds are 13/8 to win a major trophy this season and in this March period, Arsenal face three big away days back-to back.

First comes the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Bayern Munich on March 11th, with only four days between this and a trip to face Tottenham at White Hart Lane in the Premier League.

Only a week later Arsene Wenger has to lift his troops for another crunch away London derby at Chelsea, with their following Premier League game coming at home to Manchester City, the current favourites to win the Premier League.

Meanwhile, right before this run of fixtures is FA Cup sixth round weekend, which Arsenal could quite easily still be involved in.

A stronger squad will be needed for this, with a defender potentially top of the list. Thomas Vermaelen is to step in for Koscielny, but Arsenal have won none of the three games the Belgian has started this season and just three of the last 11.

Although not naturally a striker, Michu could stand in for Giroud and has hinted that he would be willing to leave Swansea if a club with Champions League aspirations were interested in him.

Real Sociedad’s Antoine Griezmann would cost a significant outlay, but he would be a more natural recruit in the wider areas, which are positions that Wenger has had to use Santi Cazorla, Ramsey and Jack WIlshere at times this season.

If Arsenal fail to get busy in the transfer window, the 4/9 on offer for another trophy-less season would be difficult to refuse.