Arsenal: 5 Forwards to Target in January

Arsenal head into January with targets in their sight.

January is a usually calm month, one where realism tempers action. Arsenal, like so many others, are fully aware of the difficulties the winter window poses.

Acquiring their desired targets during that period is arduous given the mid-season unwillingness from selling clubs and the shortened time frame to get deals over the line.

However, an Arsenal side who’ve scored just 16 goals in 16 Premier League outings are in need of forward additions. Whether these come in the form of the preferred creative midfielder or in more advanced areas, the dearth of bite in attack is cause for concern.

Just because the winter window can prove troublesome doesn’t mean targets won’t be sounded out, nor does it imply that if opportunities arose steps wouldn’t be taken to secure such additions.

With the future of Folarin Balogun up in the air, question marks remaining over Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette now 29 years old and coming within the final 18 months of his deal, forwards may be needed in north London sooner rather than later.

Here are five who Arsenal could target in January.

Patson Daka – Striker

Across Europe you’ll struggle to find a certified group of exciting young strikers. Divisions across the continent are littered with centre-forwards dominating their respective leagues after the age of 30. From your Robert Lewandowski’s to your Luis Suarez’s, most of the top strikers about are all about experience over raw talent.

One player making a name for himself over in Austria is Zambian frontman Patson Daka, who is assuming the daunting mantle of Erling Braut Haaland’s successor admirably for Red Bull Salzburg.

Working on sheer numbers alone, the 22-year-old has netted 15 goals in just 17 outings this term, adding to his tally of 27 from the previous season. Oh, and he’s notched 17 assists during that time, too.

What’s most striking (no pun intended) is the array of goals he scores. From the screamers to the tap-ins, his thunderous right foot ensures any ball struck remains firmly hit. Frighteningly quick, his technical ability is sound, but backed up by the confidence to skill his way beyond an opponent either on the touchline or in and around the box.

Someone who continues to improve each week, the obvious caveat is that he’s doing all this in an admittedly weaker Austrian Bundesliga. Dominik Szoboszlai was too, mind you, although his performances for Hungary helped catapult him further into the limelight.