Arsenal: 3 striker alternatives to Odsonne Edouard

Mikel Arteta’s is in need of centre-forward reinforcements this summer with Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun likely departing and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not getting any younger.

Odsonne Edouard was a target for Arsenal even last summer but a move never materialised, and he was listed as one of the main targets for the upcoming transfer window. However, in typical Arsenal fashion, he seems to have slipped through the net to a Premier League rival.

As it seems, Leicester are closing in on an agreement to secure the Celtic striker for a measly £15m as his contract expires in less than 18 months and is keen on a move elsewhere.

Arsenal will need to bring in at least one striker among countless other areas to improve, but despite seemingly missing out on Edouard, there are other options available who would be both affordable and could offer some freshness to an area of the pitch in need of bolstering.

Arsenal: 3 striker alternatives to Odsonne Edouard after Gunners look set to miss out on Celtic forward

Ivan Toney – Brentford

A move for Ivan Toney would certainly come as a surprise given he currently plies his trade in the Championship and has no top-flight experience.  Arsenal’s history of not taking too many risks with players who play in the lower leagues means that Toney would be further down the list of options this summer. Given Arsenal’s current status, isn’t it time the club took a risk on a player who looks like he could make an impact at the top level?

A transfer will all depend on whether or not Brentford are promoted to the Premier league at the end of the season, as Toney will be eyed up by numerous top level clubs if the Bees fall short this season. Furthermore, and more importantly, any deal would only become financially viable for the Gunners in such an instance. A figure in the region of £30m has been touted if the west Londoners don’t go up.

Very fast and supremely composed in front of goal – welcome traits for all strikers not least at Arsenal – in 32 league appearances he has scored an impressive 25 goals, all despite only moving up to the championship from League One last summer. Beyond just goals, Toney offers tactical flexibility as he likes to drop deep and be a linking tool when in transition, as he possesses strong hold-up play and a neat weight of pass. His nine assists are equally as impressive.

There is the question of whether he’d suit playing in a side regularly facing low-blocks, a less common instance for him in the second tier.