By Diarmuid Hickey /
Arsenal are the bookies favourite to sign out-of-favour former Newcastle United striker Demba Ba from Chelsea, according to SkyBet. The Chelsea striker, who previously had spells at Newcastle United, West Ham United, and German side Hoffenheim is 2/1 to become an Arsenal player before the end of the transfer window, with Arsene Wenger desperate for striking cover following injuries to Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud. Ba has floundered since moving to the London outfit twelve months ago, following a successful stint at Newcastle, which saw him net 29 league goals in 54 appearances in his 18 months on Tyneside. He's only managed 3 league goals in 22 league appearances, and has struggled to break into the side under new boss José Mourinho, making only 8 appearances in the league this season, and has been linked with a number of sides after falling behind the resurgent Fernando Torres and new man Samuel Eto'o
on the Chelsea pecking order. Former club West Ham United have also been linked to the Senegalese international, and are 3/1 to take his signature. The club have a staggeringly long injury list, and are expected to strengthen this January in a bid to stave off impending relegation. Italian outfits Fiorentina and AS Roma are currently 9/1 to sign the French-born striker.