Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has said that he would thrive on the increased competition for places, should Arsene Wenger decide to bring in a new striker during the January transfer window.

The Gunners have been linked with a move for Fulham frontman Dimitar Berbatov after Nicklas Bendtner picked up an injury in the club's 2-0 victory over Cardiff City on New Year's Day.

"To be fair that is for the manager to decide if he wants to go out and buy anyone, whoever will come to the club in January, if not it is going to make the club stronger anyway," Walcott told Sky Sports News.

"It is always nice to have competition with players coming in, but January is such a difficult period in the transfer market to get players in, especially the top players.

"The boss has already said that he is looking for special players and we have got a lot of special players in that dressing room."

Arsenal currently top the Premier League table after taking 45 points from 20 games.