I think we all agree that we need one more attacker in the squad.
Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira have departed, Eddie Nketiah has one foot out of the door (at the time of writing), and Arsenal are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Reiss Nelson. That would see four attackers who mainly played either upfront or on the wig last season depart.
In total, the four played a combined 1,969 minutes of Premier League football last season. That is just a little less than Gabriel Martinelli:
Eddie Nketiah – 1073 Premier League minutes
Emile Smith Rowe – 347
Fabio Vieira – 292
Reiss Nelson – 257
Whilst we are all exited to see Ethan Nwaneri develop this season, it is too early to expect him to play that many minutes. Nwaneri also only covers the wide right position, as well as Martin Odegaard just inside. We can no expect him to be an option upfront.
Where fans disagree is what sort of forward we need.
Whilst some are demanding a “clinical goal scorer” better than Kai Havertz, others recognise that sort of player might not be available on the market and we would therefore be best looking to buy someone better (fitter and cheaper) than Gabriel Jesus.
There is also a school of thought that instead of an out and out forward, we should actually look to buy a new left winger. Someone to improve on Gabriel Martinelli.
Out and out forward, better than Havertz
I have always maintained that there is a lack of goal scorers available on the market that an improvement on Havertz. Once you discount Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane, the cupboard is fairly bare when it comes out and out goal scorers.
Inferior strikers to Havertz have gone for £60m+ this summer. And it is the same 3 names we continually see mentioned:
Victor Osimhen – The fact Osimhen looks Saudi bound tells you everything you need to know about what motivates the Nigerian forward. Clearly a talent but there are 650,000 reasons why he will not come to Arsenal.
Viktor Gyorkes – After a good 18 months for Coventry City in the Championship and a decent first season in Portugal, Sporting slapped a £100m price tag on Gyorkes head. Clearly over inflated. Not really sure he is an upgrade on Havertz. If a deal can be done for half of that, then we might be talking.
Ivan Toney – Big reputation. Big attitude. I have a love / hate relationship with our links to Ivan Toney and it is telling that no-one has gone for him yet. Is it his poor form since the ban? Concerns about his attitude? Or is he pricing himself out of a move with one eye on Saudi oil money? 4 goals in 17 games last season speaks for itself.
Havertz cover and competition
Recent links to forwards of a “lower level” makes me think Mikel Arteta is happy with Havertz, and he is now looking for someone who could be an improvement on Gabriel Jesus as the cover. Jesus also plays a key role in being an option outwid.
Dominic Calvert Lewin – It seems an age ago that were were getting heavily linked with DCL, with Arsenal’s interest going back to January 2022. Since then the England striker has struggled with injury and form, and has played just 67 games in the last 3 seasons, scoring just 14 goals.
Last season it looked like he had gotten over his injuries, playing 2189 of Premier League football. If Arsenal can take advantage of Everton’s financial woes, he could be a good option as an impact sub, and would be a good target man if Havertz picked up an injury. Would not pay more than £30m for him though. You would expect us to sign him and keep Jesus for at least one more year.
Darwin Nunez – Surprise links with the Uruguayan broke earlier this week. How much truth in them is yet to be seen. Whilst a deal is unlikely, Nunez would be a like for like replacement for Jesus, and an upgrade.
The pair share similar strengths and weaknesses, including their ability to play across the front 3. Nunez has less injury concerns and is 2-years younger.
Santiago Gimenez – A favourite of mine. His underlying stats show a player who is playing at a similar level to Gyorkes, but his club are demanding a lot less. A deal for £30m between Feyenoord and Nottingham Forest was agreed, but the deal broke down as Gimenez did not want to join the relegation battlers. At £30m, you could keep both him and Jesus for the season, then move big for a new winger next summer.
Left wingers
The final option is we retain Jesus upfront, and we buy a top, top left winger. Gabriel Martinelli then becomes the second choice on both flanks and also a third choice striker.
This move can be done hand in hand with buying an upgrade on Jesus – with either upgrade Jesus this summer and buy a new left winger next, or we go big for a left winger this and then look for a second choice striker next summer.
Nico Williams – Still at Atletico Bilbao. Still has the release clause. Still at the top of every clubs “want” list. I would sacrifice a new striker for him this summer.
Kingsley Coman – Like Ivan Toney, it feels like Coman is waiting to see what is out there before accepting the Saudi oil money. I have always found Coman a little overhyped – known more for what he has one rather than what he has contributed. Turns 29 at the end of the season and we have seen how pace-merchants can fall off a cliff.
Raphinha – Heavily linked a couple of seasons ago, the Brazilian joined Barcelona for £50m in 2022. with their financial troubles, he could be available for as little as £30m. Although that is offset by £240k a week wages. Would Arsenal want to commit that much in salary? And is he really an upgrade on Martinelli? If the finances work 9maybe a sizeable signing on fee to be offset by the lower transfer fee), this could be one to watch out for.
Anyone we have missed? Make your case for them in the comments.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 