By SAMI MOKBEL
Arsenal are exploring an audacious swoop for Barcelona striker David Villa.
And Wojciech Szczesny’s future as the Gunners’ first-choice goalkeeper is growing increasingly uncertain with Sunderland custodian Simon Mignolet the latest to emerge as a January target.
But it is the possible capture of Villa that will excite Arsenal fans going into the festive period.
Arsene Wenger and his backroom team have discussed a January swoop for Villa, a forward the Gunners boss has admired for several years.
The Gunners would rather take the 31-year-old on loan until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent deal depending on how he takes to the Premier League.
But if the price is right, Arsenal would stretch to a long term deal in January.
Sources in Spain indicate Barca could let Villa leave should he indicate a preference to depart given his lack of first-team football.
Wenger has made bolstering his strikeforce a top priority next month.
Klass-Jan Huntelaar, Adrian Lopez and Edin Dzeko all feature on Wenger’s list, while Thierry Henry is expected to return for a third spell at the club.
Wenger’s search for a new goalkeeper to challenge Szczesny has seen him turn to the impressive Mignolet.
The Arsenal manager is unhappy with the level of competition Szczesny has at the moment and wants an experienced keeper to push the young Pole and even replace him.
Pepe Reina, Asmir Begovic and Michel Vorm are other goalkeeping possibilities.
Szczesny is unlikely to be happy about the prospect of sitting on the bench should the new arrival push him out of the starting XI.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace starlet Wilfried Zaha is set to decide on a move to either Manchester United or Arsenal next month.
The England international has privately set his heart on leaving Selhurst Park in January for a move to an elite top flight club.
And it is understood Zaha is weighing up solid offers from Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium.
