Whilst the Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern are pleased to see improvements from their side this year, they unanimously believe that alterations are still needed this summer and that the Gunners still have work to do.
The main area they feel needs strengthening is in attack, as whilst they’re happy with first-choice striker Olivier Giroud, they believe a forward of a higher calibre is needed- especially as they feel Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott are more useful in the wide areas.
As such, discussions surrounding which strikers should be targeted have sparked into life across the bar this evening and with Arsenal it’s always difficult, as there’s never any guarantee that Arsene Wenger will splash the cash where he needs to.
Whilst reports in the paper continue to link Arsenal with massive names, it remains to be seen whether the Gunners will genuinely make their move. In the eyes of our fans though, these five players should definitely be targeted this summer.
Hit Giroud below to see FIVE strikers Arsenal should sign to compete with him!
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Mauro Icardi
The 22-year-old Argentine forward, who captains Inter Milan, continues to be linked with an exit from the Italian giants due to a turbulent relationship with manager Roberto Mancini. Add the fact that Icardi wants Champions League football, which Inter may not secure, and it all plays into Arsenal’s hands.
Icardi is a quality striker that wouldn’t necessarily demand to be starting every week, which gives Arsenal an alternative option to Olivier Giroud. He’s also young and can develop with the rest of an exceptionally talented Arsenal squad, with the potential to become an Arsenal hero.
He’s not out of Arsenal’s price-range and definitely fits their picture, so he’s someone that Arsene Wenger must look at.
Gonzalo Higuain
Sticking with the Italian theme, a former target of the Gunners has remerged recently as a potential signing this summer. Gonzalo Higuain was heavily linked with an arrival in North London in 2013, before he moved from Real Madrid to Napoli.
In Naples he has impressed but he seems to have outgrown a Napoli side that have struggled to secure Champions League football and have lost ground to title rivals Juventus in the hunt for the Serie A crown. Therefore, Higuain may see it as time to move on.
Higuain would be a massive signing, potentially becoming Arsenal’s most expensive purchase, and would therefore demand regular starts. That may not sit well with Arsene Wenger, though it’s an option he needs to consider.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsene Wenger’s greatest criticism in recent years has been his reluctant to be cut-throat in the transfer market but the Frenchman could erase all those criticisms with one signing- spending whatever it costs to land Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.
The pacy striker would fit perfectly into Arsenal’s side and his tally of 31 goals already this season puts him in a higher bracket to Olivier Giroud. What’s potentially appealing though is the idea of Giroud playing alongside Aubameyang, in a dynamic partnership that could cause defences a lot of havoc.
Arsenal would have to pay a staggering high price for the striker, although they’d definitely get a return for their money.
Romelu Lukaku
If Arsene Wenger wants to stick with proven strikers in the Premier League then Romelu Lukaku is definitely the best option, as the young Belgian could well be on his way out of Everton as he seeks a step-up to a higher level.
With a formidable scoring record from his time on Merseyside, and equally impressive numbers in a previous loan spell with West Brom, Lukaku could be the immediate answer to Arsenal’s problems and he’d strengthen the side for years to come.
Everton would want a return on the £30m-odd price they paid Chelsea for Lukaku’s services but he’d definitely be a quality purchase from Wenger and a real statement of intent.
Antoine Griezmann
Arsenal looked at the signing of Antoine Griezmann before he left Real Sociedad and the French international has risen to prominence in the two-years since he moved to Atletico Madrid, proving himself to be one of the best young forwards in world football.
Should Griezmann emerge on the market, a number of top sides in European football would demand his signature but the Premier League would be the most likely destination. A massive price would once again be demanded but again, he’d be worth it.
