Arsenal keeping tabs on shock Dominic Calvert-Lewin transfer

Would Dominic Calvert-Lewin be the Right Signing for Arsenal?

How many times this season will we hear Arsenal are ‘keeping tabs’, ‘watching’, ‘monitoring’, ‘looking closely’, ‘discussing’ or ‘making an inquiry’ for a player? One hundred already and probably one thousand more, if we’re guessing.

As it is, that is what is being said about the Yorkshireman. If we’re looking at it with expectant eyes – believable eyes, should we say – then you wonder what it is Arteta has in mind up front because Calvert-Lewin is not the mould of striker you’d be expecting him to move for, despite some obvious qualities.

The report lists the interest as:

"“Arsenal are looking to revamp their attacking line if they can get players out and they are admirers of Calvert-Lewin.”"

It would be some revamp if the England international were to join, while also vaguely hinting at Aubameyang being sold.

Calvert-Lewin’s strength are in the penalty box. A very strong and accurate finisher, he’s an even lower touch striker than the Arsenal captain, making less passes as well, feeding off wide deliveries and doing all of his work in as few motions as possible.

Wanting someone who can drop deep to link play effectively and invite runners beyond, but also boasts instinctive penalty box movement, Calvert-Lewin would be more of the same for Arsenal. His hold-up play is strong enough but he’s slightly lacking technically to suit an Arteta team.

Someone who is technically competent in wide areas and with bodies around, Calvert-Lewin doesn’t boast the best first touch. What he would bring is finishing capabilities and aerial threat – he scored seven Premier League headers last season and Kieran Tierney would be in dreamland – while he’s also strong in the duels, clever in and around the box and quicker than most make out.

He’s a very solid centre-forward, homegrown, fit, at a good age and would give Arsenal something they didn’t have in attack. Would he fit into Arsenal’s possession-based style? It’s tough to envisage especially since his best form has come under Carlo Ancelotti’s unattractive system with two strikers and wing-backs. Calvert-Lewin looks far more comfortable with a partner up front as demonstrated with his clever relationship with Richarlison.

With a deal until 2025, Calvert-Lewin would not come cheap. We’re talking £60m+. The bank balance would feel the impact, especially if he snatches a goal for England at the Euros – which sounds silly but makes a difference – and it would surely spell the end for Aubameyang.

Yet if Arsenal are to be bold, there is only one way to go.

Continued…