Arsenal eye Brentford’s Kevin Schade to plug January attacking gap

Arsenal are reportedly considering a January move for Brentford attacker Kevin Schade as Mikel Arteta looks for extra depth in the final third. The Gunners entered the season with fewer attacking options than expected after Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus both left late in the summer window, and they failed to secure another forward before the deadline, and they are now targeting the 24‑year‑old who has already scored three Premier League goals in five appearances.

The departures of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus left Arsenal with a thinner attacking roster than anticipated. With no forward signed before the summer deadline, the Gunners have become more reliant on their existing wide players and emerging youngsters. This shortage has prompted Arteta to explore additional options.

Schade's early Premier League impact

Kevin Schade, 24, has begun the campaign in excellent form for Brentford, netting three Premier League goals in his first five appearances. He scored both goals in Brentford’s 2‑2 draw with Bournemouth and opened his league account against Leeds United. His tally places him among the early leading scorers, with only Erling Haaland ahead of the group on three goals.

Arsenal see Schade’s profile as a fit for Arteta’s system. He is quick, direct and capable of operating from either flank or through the middle, offering the positional flexibility the manager values. Such attributes could broaden the Gunners’ attacking patterns.

Arsenal's attacking shortage drives interest

The Gunners’ 3‑0 defeat to Brighton on Saturday highlighted the need for another attacking outlet. Arsenal struggled to break through Brighton’s press and failed to create sufficient threat once the game moved away from them. The loss ended a four‑match winning start and marked their heaviest defeat in three years.

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Schade would not necessarily arrive as an automatic starter, a factor that may make the deal more realistic. His pace would provide a different weapon against high defensive lines, while his ability to attack space could complement more technical players such as Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze.

Questions remain over price and consistency. Brentford are under no pressure to sell, especially with Schade in form, and January deals are rarely cheap; reports suggest Arsenal’s interest is valued around £20 million. The club must balance the cost against the need for depth.

If Schade continues scoring at his current rate, moving early could be wiser than waiting for his value to rise further. Arsenal’s summer departures left them slightly short in attack, and an early addition could bolster their options for the second half of the season.

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