Wenger weighs up striker move

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he may be forced to step up his search for a new striker should Nicklas Bendtner take longer to recover from a groin injury.

With Holland forward Robin van Persie sidelined until April at the earliest because of an ankle injury sustained while on international duty and Theo Walcott also struggling for full match fitness, the Gunners are rather light in attack.

Wenger hopes Denmark striker Bendtner - who turns 22 later this month - will soon be back in action, following surgery for a hernia, otherwise he may have to step up his search for new talent.

"It depends on Bendtner and how bad [his injury] is," said the Arsenal boss.

"He is being treated now and will come back on Friday for tests then we will assess the situation.

"The real test will be in the next two weeks, with the projection with Bendtner.

"If he is out for two months, there is no way - we will need someone absolutely. We cannot have one [striker].

"We are looking anyway and if we find a good bargain then, despite that, we will still do it.

"But there is still a 50-50 chance that we will sign somebody."