da pinnacle： In recent weeks, a familiar problem has emerged at Arsenal – a lack of world-class quality in the final third.
da aviator aposta： Indeed, many Gunners fans are often quick to defend Oliver Giroud but the Frenchman’s dry spell has now stretched to eleven appearances across all competitions and the stats speak for themselves. Arsenal have created the third-most chances of any Premier League side this term, yet their star striker has converted just twelve of them.
Likewise, although Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck make reasonable contributions, neither are natural goal scorers and often look overwhelmed when deployed in the central strike role – evident enough through the former hitting the onion bag just four times in the Premier League this season.
So with the coming transfer window slowly looming in and the Gunners reportedly putting aside around £75million to spend on new recruits, we at Football FanCast have been running the rule over FIVE front men the north London outfit should target during the summer…
CHRISTIAN BENTEKE
Christian Benteke’s stock may not be at its highest right now but that’s exactly why the out-of-favour Liverpool striker could prove to be such an astute addition for Arsenal.
Seemingly incompatible with Jurgen Klopp’s high pressing philosophy, the beastly Belgian has made as many substitute appearances as starts for Liverpool in the Premier League this season, but he’s still their top scorer across all competitions with eight goals.
Likewise, the 25-year-old’s Premier League credentials remain undoubted from his prior spell with Aston Villa, netting 49 times across three campaigns to continuously ensure their top flight survival.
He’d add a more physical and direct option to the Gunners’ strike force and in light of Klopp’s distain towards the 6 foot 3 centre-forward, Liverpool may be forced to sell at a discounted rate this summer.
Then again, Arsenal’s technical style of play may also struggle to get the best out of the overtly attritional striker.
GONZALO HIGUAIN
Scouring across European football, it’s hard to find a striker with a more consistent scoring record than Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain – who came close to joining the Emirates ranks back in summer 2013.
Indeed, he’s never scored less than 10 league goals in a single campaign since becoming a regular for Real Madrid during the 2008/09 season and his 26-goal haul in Serie A this term is only bettered throughout Europe’s five leading top flights by former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Argentina international represents something the Gunners currently lack in an out-and-out poacher and with his contract verging upon its final two years, the coming transfer window is undoubtedly the north London outfit’s best chance of convincing Napoli to sell.
But the Naples outfit are desperate to hold onto their talismanic goalscorer and they’ll likely demand a fee in excess of £40million – a little steep for a 28-year-old.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal were hot on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s heels during the January transfer window and they’re almost certain to revive their interest in the summer.
The Borussia Dortmund star has been in incredible form this season, netting 22 times in 24 Bundesliga appearances to bring his Black-Yellows total to a whopping 74 goals in 132 outings across all competitions.
Famed for his dynamic pace and potency on the counter-attack, the Gabon international would certainly benefit from the supply of creativity from Arsenal’s midfield, whilst offering greater mobility and energy to Olivier Giroud.
The 26-year-old seems a particularly good fit for not only Premier League football but also Arsenal’s style of play. Yet, he’s set to enter the summer window as one of world football’s most sought-after strikers and the Gunners may not be able to fend off rivalled interest from the likes of PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE
A striker built in a similar manner to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette offers pace, power and netting prowess in abundance and appears to have outgrown his surroundings at Lyon.
Indeed, the France international has bagged 67 goals during the last three campaigns at Stade de Gerland, with a 31-goal haul last term seeing him clinch Ligue 1’s Player of the Year award and a second consecutive slot in the Team of the Year.
Lacezette’s tally is somewhat lesser this season, netting twelve times in the league, but that’s in no small part due to him already having one eye on a move abroad and starting the campaign under the cloud of a contract dispute.
Like Aubameyang, the 24-year-old would offer Arsenal greater mobility and penetration in the final third. But Lyon have him under contract until 2019, so the Gunners will have to table a sizable bid if they’re to sell this summer.
Romelu Lukaku
If you’re looking for a young striker with a proven record in the Premier League, then your search should begin and end with Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian front-man already boasts 60 goals from his 140 appearances in the top flight, a simply phenomenal record for a 22-year-old still learning his trade, alongside eleven goals in 42 outings for his country.
Lukaku is amid his strongest campaign to date, currently second in the Premier League’s goal charts with 18, and has demonstrated his ability as a well-rounded goal scorer this season, netting five times with his right foot, nine times with his left, four headers and once from outside the box.
Indeed, the former Chelsea youngster boasts height, pace and power in almost equal measure and after three campaigns at Goodison, appears ready to make an impact at a top club.
Resultantly, however, competition for Lukaku’s signature is fierce. Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG have all been linked since the start of the season and that will inevitably affect his price-tag.