Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Gunners Aiming For Talented English Hitman?

If the latest reports are to be believed, North London-based Premiership side Arsenal have targeted fellow London rival Chelsea's English striker Daniel Sturridge and are expected to make a bid for the player when the summer transfer window opens.

Sturridge, 22, who is expected to rethink his future at Chelsea after he was played out wide this season, was given chances to prove himself by the then manager Andre Villas-Boas when he impressed by scoring against Hong Kong club Kitchee SC in a solo effort and then by scoring a brace against Scottish team Rangers.

Despite rumors linking him with a move away on deadline day, Sturridge remained in West London with strong support from Villas-Boas who said, He would have been playing if he was not suspended from last season.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger knows that his team is currently dependent on the services of Dutchman and skipper Robin van Persie in front of the goal and although there are players like Marouane Chamakh on the bench, nobody has really been able to penetrate the opponent's defense.

Moreover, South Korean Park Chu-Young is still not ready to play in the big stage forcing the boss to ask van Persie to deliver every time. The inclusion of Sturridge here would add solidity to the team's attacking line even in the absence of van Persie.

Although the player has also been linked with his former club Manchester City, Gunners remain in the pole position to sign the youngster, according to a Tribal Football report.

Sturridge, who is known for his pace, dribbling skills a powerful long-range shot and his ability to play as a striker or a right winger, arrived at Chelsea in 2009 on a four-year contract when his contract at Manchester City expired. The Englishman has made as many as 78 appearances for the West London club and has managed to score 21 times in all competitions thus far.