Arsenal target Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor

Arsene Wenger has targeted the England Under-21 international as the player who can bolster the one area of the team he feels he needs cover.

Agbonlahor would provide the necessary back-up for suspensions, injuries and international call-ups as the Premier League leaders continue their push towards the title. Although Emmanuel Adebayor is in good form, currently the squad have limited experience in reserve with summer signing Eduardo yet to establish himself in the first-team and Nicklas Bendtner relatively young. Robin van Persie is still sidelined, but is edging closer to a return to fitness.

The Express believe Agbonlahor, who has scored five goals in 14 games for Aston Villa this season is high on Wenger's list of targets and that Arsenal scouts have been watching the 21-year-old for some time. Wenger has remained tight-lipped on whether he will add to his squad during the January transfer window.

Earlier this season it was thought that the French coach would be handed a £70 million war chest to spend but has said he would only look to use it "if he needed".

"The money is there to help you create a good team," Wenger said. "When you feel that you have a good team you do not necessarily need to spend it. "At a big club like ours you need funds available for emergency cases, like if you have a lot of injuries. Or if at some stage you need to make a quick buy therefore you have to use the money as wisely as possible."

Martin O'Neill would be reluctant to let Agbonlahor leave Aston Villa given his age and explosive pace which have established himself as a first-team regular for the past two seasons.