Arsenal: 4 striker transfer scenarios for January window

The striker situation at Arsenal is the hot topic of debate within the squad at a time where there hasn’t been this much harmony within the camp for many years.

There always has been and forever will be contentious issues within any squad. One’s opinion on a player may differ drastically from the person next to them, just as the usage, or lack thereof, of another individual may be discussed until the cows come home.

In an Arsenal side boasting five centre-forwards – again, this number could be considered as four depending on personal opinion – there is plenty of range for debate.

What is inarguable, however, is that there will be fairly significant movement in that department over the next two transfer windows.

Arsenal: 4 striker transfer scenarios for Mikel Arteta in the January window with decisions to make on Lacazette, Nketiah and Balogun

Who should and who shouldn’t be moved on will reign supreme, but from Mikel Arteta’s standpoint he will have decisions of his own to make, those that just so happen to be the ones that truly matter.

Ahead of the January transfer window the scope is there for very little to happen, just as there could be quite a lot of action. In terms of different scenarios, there are plenty.

These all hinge around three of the strikeforce in particular: Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun.

While focus is now on Liverpool and the ensuing six weeks of manic festive Premier League action, internally there is work being done to find a solution with the three aforementioned centre-forwards. Of the potential outcomes, there are four that spring to mind.

1. Folarin Balogun Leaves – Lacazette and Nketiah Stay

Kicking off with what may well turn out to be the more likely turn of events to transpire, this is one that, like the others, has its positives and negatives.

The obvious positive is that Balogun departs on loan to play some ‘proper’ football: freezing cold northern venues on a Wednesday night, embracing the second tier’s physicality and being thrust into an environment out of his comfort zone.

It’s one thing being hyped about a striker scoring for fun in the Under-23’s; it’s another thing seeing that transfer into senior football. In order to make a fuller assessment of where Balogun is, he has to be playing against men.

There will be, and already are, suitors aplenty eyeing a six-month loan deal in January.

Of course, this would mean that Lacazette and Nketiah stay in north London to see out their Arsenal deals – and then walk away for free. The pair would hopefully constitute the end of such a scenario unfolding again.

Given that both will receive offers with more financial reward in the summer, there will be some reluctance for either to move. Besides, Lacazette is contributing to the team at present and even if Nketiah isn’t playing, he will be first in line for cup matches and there waiting in the wings in case of injury.

If being pushed for an answer, this outcome looks the more likely to happen.

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