Arsenal might have 4 or 5 choices up entrance – however Mikel Arteta is ready to signal one other striker this summer time.
The Gunners had a striker disaster final time period with only a few No.9s accessible of their push for prime 4. That was solved by Gabriel Jesus becoming a member of for round £45 million, whereas Eddie Nketiah was given the enduring No.14 shirt worn by Thierry Henry.
On Saturday, Arsenal used new signing Leandro Trossard by the center in Nketiah’s absence, whereas Gabriel Martinelli remains to be an choice at centre-forward, too. Hale Finish graduate Folarian Balogun, in the meantime, has been tearing up Ligue 1 for Reims.
Regardless of this wealth of depth within the squad, David Ornstein (opens in new tab) of the Athletic (opens in new tab) has instructed NBC Sports activities (opens in new tab) that Arsenal are focusing on a right-back, a defensive midfielder and presumably one other striker in the summertime switch market.
Arsenal have been linked with Spanish teen Ivan Fresneda at right-back and Declan Rice of West Ham United for the defensive midfield spot. One other striker, nevertheless, would probably imply a sale of a participant that followers have come to like this season.
Nketiah has popped up with key targets this season in Jesus’s absence – most notably in opposition to Manchester United within the win on the Emirates Stadium – however his all-round recreation remains to be creating and Arteta might resolve he desires to usher in a participant extra comparable in fashion to Jesus. Balogun, likewise, is a participant that supporters are actually excited for, given his kind in France – however he could also be offered whereas hype is excessive.
Martinelli most likely will not be offered after being handed a long-term deal, whereas Jesus is a key member of the aspect, too, sporting the captain’s armband once in a while this season. There may be the likelihood, nevertheless, that Arteta sees the way forward for Jesus on the wing.
Arsenal at the moment don’t have any backup to Bukayo Saka – however Jesus has functioned nicely as a right-winger prior to now for Manchester Metropolis. It is attainable that Jesus, Saka, Martinelli, Saka and Trossard may all stay on the membership with one other centre-forward coming in – although as soon as once more, the Gunners might search for a striker who can play throughout the entrance three.
The north Londoners are prime of the desk, two factors forward of Metropolis with a recreation in hand.
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Curiosity in Declan Rice is ramping up – and the Gunners might have to interrupt their switch document for him – whereas Folarin Balogun’s kind on mortgage is posing fascinating questions for Arteta.
In the meantime, Glen Johnson has acknowledged that Arsenal’s success is short-term.
