Arsenal keeping Juventus striker Llorente as `stop-gap option` to strengthen squad

London: Arsenal has reportedly kept Juventus striker Fernando Llorente as a `stop-gap` option in order to strengthen the squad given that Olivier Giroud is the only fit senior traditional centre-forward at the club.

Although Liverpool star Luis Suarez remains in Arsenal`s sights but the club`s boss Arsene Wengermay find it difficult to bring in any of his top targets and could end up having to do a loan deal to bridge the gap to next summer. According to the Mirror, the move may open the door for Llorente, who has been left largely on the bench since joining Juventus from Athletic Bilbao in the summer, and will be desperate for regular football in a World Cup year. Juventus have largely only used one striker and Llorente, who has also been scouted by Arsenalin the past, is behind Carlos Tevez in the pecking order. Wenger recognises the need to give his squad a lift and if they are in contention for trophies then a loan deal to provide back-up for in-form Giroud may be the perfect solution, the report added.