Arsenal keeping tabs on shock Dominic Calvert-Lewin transfer

What is going on this summer? There is not a moment to rest for Arsenal fans as on a daily basis they’re fed developments for ongoing transfer stories, as well as being slapped across the face with brand new ones. It’s now Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s turn to enter the conversation.

The striker situation remains an intriguing one. Or, reversely, it’s entirely unimportant and the easiest of all the departments to handle: there are two that can be sold this summer without the need for any others to be brought in.

Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette look likely to leave and their departures are met with the beneficial aspect of there being three other options behind them.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be the starting centre-forward all season with Folarin Balogun as the third choice, due to earn minutes here and there over through a combination of the cup competitions and late Premier League cameos.

Arsenal keeping tabs on shock Dominic Calvert-Lewin transfer as Arteta eyes forward revamp in summer transfer window

Then there is Gabriel Martinelli who is being moulded into a striker, or at least someone who can play the role, and him being quite simply brilliant and a relentless goal threat make him an exciting option. Some may feel he’s better suited to being a left forward (this writer included) but the potential is absolutely there for him to be prolific through the middle.

On the flip side, the glass half full argument is that Aubameyang looks past his best, Martinelli isn’t best suited to being a centre-forward and is still learning the ropes while 19-year-old Balogun has literally played 76 minutes of senior football in his career to date.

There will come a point where Aubameyang’s successor will need to be brought in, unless the other two develop massively as strikers over the next 12 months, and even if not another option in that position will need to be sourced soon enough.

Is that man Dominic Calvert-Lewin?

As per the Telegraph, Arsenal are keeping tabs on the Everton striker. Excellent form for Everton last season saw him attract a variety of admiring glances (even Real Madrid have been mentioned), and his age makes his signature all the more alluring.

Currently away with England at the European Championships, the 24-year-old is the leading goalscorer for finishes inside the penalty area and notched 25 goals for club and country last season. Only one of those came from the penalty spot.

Are Arsenal looking in the right place for a centre-forward, and do they even need one?

Continued…

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…

Alexander Isak is Worth Arsenal Revamping at Centre-Forward

If we’re talking a full scale ‘revamp’, a vast overhaul of the centre-forward department earlier than anticipated, it has to be for the right player.

Supporters are mostly in agreement that Lacazette should be sold this summer (he really should) while others have more than flirted with the idea of moving Aubameyang on at the same time.

It would be a shock to see the captain moved on just 12 months after an arduous contract situation finally ended with him penning a new three-year deal, especially since his poor performances last season have valid mitigation.

But, if moving the pair on meant a frontline facelift then make sure it’s as an ideal player as possible. Make sure it’s Alexander Isak.

An all-encompassing striker with endearing qualities in abundance whose release clause is less than what it would likely take to sign Calvert-Lewin, it is, pardon the overused term, a no-brainer. Isak is already magnificent and at just 21 years old will be the striker in Europe alongside Erling Haaland in a few years.

A centre-forward who can press, link play, operate on the shoulder, is quick, is strong, is two-footed and has an elegant level of skill reminiscent of Kanu, that’s who you break the bank for and be bold about. Calvert-Lewin is a wonderful Premier League striker, he just isn’t Isak.

How achievable Isak is almost irrelevant. It’s a matter of having the right vision for the club. Borussia Dortmund have a buyback clause for him and with the entire continent eyeing his signature, and able to offer Champions League football, Arsenal’s chances are slim at best.

At this point it’s all ‘keeping tabs’ and ‘monitoring this’ and so on and so forth. Lots of smoke and so far no fire. But if you’re going to go gung ho and push the boat out, choose the one with the speed engine and spare fuel. At least try.