Arsenal have quite a few forwards that can play through the middle, so do they really need another player? That is one of the questions that the club will have to answer this summer as they look to improve the team.
With participation in next season’s Champions League all but confirmed, those on the board and behind the scenes need to carefully look at the squad. While there are areas that need to be talked about, we are going to look at the striking options and what can be done about it.
Folarin Balogun
The youngster who is out on loan in France has taken Ligue 1 by storm. He is one of the top scorers in the league and could fetch the north Londoners a lot of money should they choose to sell him. Given the talent that is already at the Emirates, it is hard to see a place for the Englishman.
Given the player’s age and potential, a huge fee can be asked for and that is a good position to be in. The Gunners need to decide if this is the right time to cash in on the player despite how good he can become. It is a little similar to what they did with Joe Willock when he had that impressive loan spell at Newcastle United.
If the club does decide to keep him, it will be tough to give him enough games and that can create further problems. So, despite how tough it may feel, the best option would be to sell the youngster and invest that profit elsewhere.
Eddie Nketiah
To be fair to Nketiah, he has always stepped up when the club needed him. Even this season, before Leandro Trossard arrived, the England international filled in superbly for Gabriel Jesus. The 23-year-old is at a stage in his career where he has to think of what lies ahead.
Though the club might be happy to keep him, a lot of teams could do with having a striker of this quality. And also, it is a chance for Arsenal to upgrade this position given where they find themselves at this stage in their rebuild. There are going to be quite a few suitors lined up for the forward, should he be put on sale.
The Gunners need to be applauded for the way they have nurtured and developed this Hale End product. It is now a question of whether the club wants to invest more time in him or look for someone who can be better.
A New Striker?
The saying goes that you need to strike while the iron is hot, and this summer is precisely that kind of time for the league leaders. After more than half a decade, they will be playing in the Champions League. They have one of the youngest squads in the league and it is filled to the brim with quality.
Adding a few special players to this mix can surely help take the team to the next level. There are a lot of suggestions that the north Londoners could do that with the addition of Declan Rice but what about a little further ahead? Now, from the outset, it might not look like they need another striker but there is a case to be made here.
In a lot of games that Mikel Arteta sees his team finding it difficult to break down a defense, having a physical forward will be of great help. Ironically, the player who would be perfect for this role has played for the Gunners earlier. The club needs to look for a younger Olivier Giroud, as he would be the perfect type of variety this attack needs.
Dusan Vlahovic
This is one name that the fans will be tired of seeing given how the transfer saga unfolded. It must be said that we never got to truly hear all the details about such moves, but one thing was clear. Arsenal wanted to sign him, and this could be an avenue they might visit again.
Though a move for the Serbian will be on the expensive side, it is a gamble worth taking. Given how much the club was interested in the Juve striker, it is clear that they admire his style of play. And as we have seen in Turin, he can do a little bit of everything and that is a great quality for a striker to have.
The main advantage of using Vlahovic as the center forward is that it can also help Arteta use Jesus on the right. This way, you can have cover for Bukayo Saka as well and that reduces the workload of the man, they affectionately call Starboy. Given that Jesus has played in this position already, it will be an easy transition.
Alternatives?
To be perfectly honest, there aren’t many players who can play the type of role that the north Londoners need. If the club feels that a short-term option would be the way to go, they could do a lot worse than look at Duvan Zapata of Atalanta. The Colombian is on the wrong side of 30, but has the skills needed to prosper.
The system in use at Bergamo has some similarities to what Arteta likes to do so this could be an option worth exploring. Zapata is sure to be much cheaper than what Juve will ask for their star striker. With the Atalanta forward’s contract ending in 2024, now could be his time to look for that big move elsewhere.
Another option worth looking into would be Borja Iglesias from Real Betis who is a little different from Zapata but can provide the physical option that is required. Betis also like to play a possession-based style of football that can be easy to assimilate into. There are options on the market, but it depends on what the club wants to do. Whatever direction they take, it must be to ensure that the team is improved instantly.
Conclusion
There are other more pressing issues in the Gunners squad that need to be dealt with. But improving the attack should be at the back of the club’s mind as it can make a difference in many games. You need to have attackers who can pose all kinds of questions. Getting one in that can be bit of a bruiser and help take down defenses can be a great option to have. This should be the thought behind whoever the club decides to look at.
Whether they win the Premier League or not, need to be happy with the season that has unfolded. Even though there is a good chance that they do not end up with any silverware, it is a huge step forward. Most people didn’t think that this team would challenge for the top four, but they ended up challenging the mighty Manchester City for the title. If you want to be among the people spurring the team on, then make sure to check out https://www.seatsnet.com/index.php?dispatch=team.view&team_id=26 for the best tickets.
Arsenal and their future does look good and it can be made even better by adding a few extra pieces. There does not have to be a revolution, but some additions here and there are what will take this team over the line, next season and beyond. Arteta and everyone at the club can be proud of the work they have done so far but it needs to continue.
