Arsenal FC currently sit at the sixth position in the PL points table, four points behind a Champions League spot. But Arsenal have three games in hand and they are all set to battle Manchester United for the fourth spot. The Gunners have been a well-rounded team this season but they still lack quality finishers at the top of the pitch. Vlahovic was among the strikers Arsenal can sign in summer 2021 but Juventus has ended those dreams.
Arsenal’s best striker over the past four years was Aubameyang and Arsenal cannot easily replace a player of his quality. But the positive news for Arsenal from the sale of Aubameyang to Barcelona is a significantly reduced wage bill. In this article, we will look at three strikers Arsenal can sign in the summer to fill the void left by Aubameyang.
#3 Jonathan David
I’ve showed my hoodie to Jonathan David and told him to sign him here and he laughed 😄🔴⚪️ @itsJoDavid pic.twitter.com/2kcUN93FAE
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The 22 year-old Canadian has set Ligue 1 alight this season with some fantastic finishing. David is tied with Mbappe in the second spot in the Ligue 1 Golden Boot race this season. He rose to prominence in the 20/21 Ligue 1 season, scoring 13 goals in 29 starts.
David was born in USA to Haiti parents. At six years of age, he shifted to Canada and started playing club football in Ottawa. David began his senior at Gent in 2018. A move to Premier League from Ligue 1 is never guaranteed to go well. Arsenal know this better than anyone as their record signing Nicolas Pepe is still struggling to up his game in England.
If Arsenal are looking at a bargain transfer, David is the right match as Lille are currently struggling financially. Also, David’s age could very well attract Arteta as he enjoys developing youngsters.
#2 Ollie Watkins
Form is temporary, class is permanent, Ollie Watkins. Ignore the haters. 💜💙#avfc | #utv | #vtid pic.twitter.com/yx2OMqYRNQ
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Watkins’ dip in form since Gerrard took over at Villa could very well work in Arsenal’s favor. Watkins has been linked with Arsenal for a long time and reports emerged that he was one of Arsenal’s targets in the winter transfer window. Throughout his career, Watkins has played in England, albeit in the championship until 2020.
Aston Villa bought Watkins in the summer of 2020 and he was a revelation for the club in 20/21. His partnership with Grealish and El Ghazi proved to be potent throughout the season. His performance in the 7-2 demolition of Liverpool was widely applauded and he scored 14 in total in the 20/21 PL.
This season, he has struggled for consistency in the absence of Grealish. Pressure is firmly on Gerrard to start Danny Ings instead of Watkins. The chances of Arsenal moving for Watkins in the summer will heavily depend on Watkins’ performances for the rest of the season.
#1 Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Among all the strikers Arsenal can sign in the summer, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the best option in many ways. Firstly, he has a good amount of Premier League experience and this makes him a very attractive commodity. Secondly, Calvert-Lewin will bring in different characteristics to a hugely talented Arsenal forward line.
Arsenal squad is full of academy graduates who are adept at playing as a midfielder or a forward. But Calvert-Lewin is an old-fashioned number 9 and Arsenal are currently short of personnel in this department. He is brilliant in the air and will give Arsenal’s wingers a target to focus.
The only concern Arsenal will have about signing him is his injury record. He started 30 or more PL games in the past two seasons but has started 7 games this season. If he manages to stay fit for the rest of the season, Arsenal will definitely come for him in the summer.
