‘Arsenal need a striker’ – but who could they sign? Isak, Sesko, Delap, Osimhen, Vlahovic
Arsenal withdraw from FA Cup on Sunday Lost due to free throws The game against ten-man Manchester United once again highlighted one of their team’s major weaknesses – the lack of a world-class centre-forward.
The Gunners are second in the Premier League and joint third top scorer with 39 goals in 20 games.
However, in terms of big chance conversion rate over the entire season, they rank just sixth and eighth since December 1. They are the only team in the top six not to score in double figures.
Kai Havertz, despite not being a natural number nine, is their seventh leading scorer in the league in the center role.
Especially in the past two games, their shortcomings in front of the goal have been ruthlessly exposed.
In the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals, Arsenal took 23 shots, but only 3 were on target, and ultimately lost to Newcastle 2-0. They took 26 shots against Manchester United, 7 of which were on target, with the goal coming from defender Gabriel’s deflected shot.
In that game, their attacking players were again hit by injuries, with Gabriel Jesus struggling in the midfield role but at least looking more natural in the midfield position, having been benched in the first half. The stretcher is changed.
Former Arsenal and England striker Theo Walcott told BBC Sport: “As others have said before. Arsenal need a striker now because it will be a completely different story.”
“Arsenal have gone from being a free-flowing forward line, exciting the crowd, to getting a bit stale at the Emirates Stadium. You need players to do something different and they’re not there yet.”
Mikel Arteta has only won one trophy as Arsenal manager, the 2020 FA Cup, and Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time goalscoring record holder, believes the Gunners will miss out this season if they don’t step up their game Trophy.
“I said it at the beginning of the season, I felt like this was what they needed, and I think if the league doesn’t invest in this position, it could cost them,” Shearer said.
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards agreed, adding: “The difference between Arsenal winning the league and winning these games is just a matter of centre-forward.
“It’s difficult, you can’t just go out and get a number 9, there aren’t that many in world football.”
So who will Arsenal be keeping an eye on this transfer window? They may pursue the following nine numbers nine.
