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Arsenal: Henry Onyekuru is not valid Alexandre Lacazette insurance policy

By Andrew Dowdeswell

GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 11 : Henry Onyekuru Chukwuemeka forward of Eupen is challenged by Anderson Esiti midfielder of KAA Gent during the Jupiler Pro League match between KAA Gent and KAS Eupen in the Ghelamco Arena stadium on February 11, 2017 in Gent, Belgium, 11/02/2017 ( Photo by Nico Vereecken / Photonews via Getty Images)
GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 11 : Henry Onyekuru Chukwuemeka forward of Eupen is challenged by Anderson Esiti midfielder of KAA Gent during the Jupiler Pro League match between KAA Gent and KAS Eupen in the Ghelamco Arena stadium on February 11, 2017 in Gent, Belgium, 11/02/2017 ( Photo by Nico Vereecken / Photonews via Getty Images) /
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Alexandre Lacazette stated that he would not join a club not in the Champions League. Arsenal are now in talks with Henry Onyekuru but the Belgian is no insurance policy for the Lyon striker.

The need for a striker has been one that has plagued the Arsenal squad for a long time. Ever since the departure of Robin van Persie in 2012, the Gunners have toiled through a mire of adequate but never extraordinary options: Lukasz Podolski, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck.

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However, in the same time period, there has been one key theme running through each and every title winning team: a top class goalscorer.

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Manchester United lifted the trophy in 2012/13, with van Persie scoring 26 goals. The next season, Manchester City won the league with Sergio Aguero scoring 17 goals (Yaya Toure also scored 20 goals that year). The year after, Chelsea won the league with Diego Costa scoring 20 goals. Last year, Leicester City shocked the world in their title win with Jamie Vardy leading the line with 24 goals.

In the meantime, Arsenal best scoring season from a striker was Olivier Giroud with 16 goals in the 2013/14 and 2015/16 seasons. Simply put, the lack of an upper echelon centre-forward has held back the potential of this side for far too long. And that is something that Arsene Wenger is aware of, even if it is because of him that it has not been addressed. Last summer, there were incessant links with a number of strikers, with Wenger having a bid rejected for Alexandre Lacazette after his advances for Jamie Vardy were spurned amid stylistic concerns.

While it would be surprising to see Vardy again be the subject of Wenger’s interest this summer, Lacazette has been strongly linked with a move to North London. The problem, though, is that he has publicly stated that he is unwilling to play for a team that cannot offer him Champions League football, something that Arsenal cannot. As such, alternatives may have to be found.

That is where Henry Onyekuru enters the fray, as it was reported that talks have begun with the young striker by Sky Sports this week. However, Onyekuru is far from being the calibre of player to act as a Lacazette insurance policy. While talented, he is far from the established, well-rounded, accomplished centre-forward that is required. He is a project.

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It is always exciting to see Wenger dip into the transfer window. Rarely does he do it with any semblance of conviction or purpose. However, signing talented youngsters is not sufficient to address the shortcomings of this squad. Arsenal need ready-made stars. Whether they can attract them without Champions League football, though, is another question altogether.

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