Arsenal target goal machine Patson Daka in bargain summer deal

Arsenal and their striker situation has taken a fresh twist after recent performances, with the narrative shifting from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being back to his best and Alexandre Lacazette being no good to, well, basically the opposite.

It will likely change again as soon as the full-time whistle is blown against Liverpool in the next Premier League game after domestic football resumes. It comes down the consistency, which the current options at Arsenal don’t possess.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a goalscorer. When he isn’t scoring goals, there isn’t much in the way of contribution in build-up play or holding the ball up with his back to goal since these aren’t his strengths.

Likewise, those two assets are what Alexandre Lacazette is best known for, with his finishing in the box and lack of 18-yard presence meaning he isn’t a regular goalscorer. To put it simply, Arsenal have two very different strikers who will have moments in each game where their best qualities shine, and instances where their deficiencies come to light.

Arsenal target goal machine Patson Daka in £17m bargain deal with Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool all keen on summer transfer

Against West Ham, it was the Frenchman who stood out with some excellent flicks and movements in between the lines that brought others into play and sustained the speed of the attacks to great effect. Aubameyang looked lost out on the right, had rarely any impact and was joyless against a congested Hammers low block.

What Arsenal need is another variation of Lacazette. Not in exact profile, but someone who has more pace, is stronger, boasts a higher technical level and can be threatening in the box.

Names have been flung about as the futures of Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun edge closer to being away from north London, including Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard and Brentford’s Ivan Toney.

Across the English Channel into mainland Europe, the other name that has been garnering attention from sides across the continent is Red Bull Salzburg striker Patson Daka – and he may be available for a bargain fee.