Arsenal: Is Jonathan David the perfect striker target?

Sometimes the chase is more fun than the prize itself. As Arsenal supporters pour over videos and data analysis on every striker on the continent for who could be the one to walk through the Emirates doors, there is one certainty: someone is going to be signed.

Who, though? This is where it gets exciting.

Well aware that Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah have seven months at the most left in them in north London, and that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has a season and two thirds to go, lists are being compiled everywhere for the perfect replacement.

Profile wise, a player who encapsulates the better traits of both the senior options at the club seems like the most likely option. A little bit of column A, a little bit of column B.

Is Jonathan David the perfect striker target for Arsenal? Profile, strengths, weaknesses, suitability, transfer fee, and what Arteta needs

In other words, someone very good.

That may not be set in stone, however. Mikel Arteta could lean more towards one than the other: a connective pivot style striker, or a physically dominating presence who will impose himself in a way nobody else in the squad does.

A few names have been banded about, including Dusan Vlahovic, Youssef En-Nesyri, Ollie Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who combined offer a panoply of qualities that could suit in their own unique way.

How about Jonathan David?

The Canadian was linked with Arsenal back in his Gent days before making the move to Lille in the summer of 2020, and with the form he’s demonstrating it’s ‘increasingly likely’ his time in the north of France will come to an end after this season, if not as soon as January: David is the top scorer in Ligue 1 and with the division rocked by financial issues, clubs will take what they can get when they can get it.

Naturally, Arsenal’s name has cropped up among supporters who’re smitten by his talents, with Inter and Liverpool being two of the names linked with having an interest. After scoring just twice in his first 25 games for Les Dogues, the 21-year-old is now one of the hottest strikers around.

What is he best at? What does he struggle at? And, importantly, is he the man for Arsenal?

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