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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Jonathan David’s Attacking Qualities Stand Out

14 games into the Ligue 1 season and David has clocked up ten goals already. Take his three goalless substitute appearances out of the equation while throwing in two Champions League strikes and those numbers make for even more pleasant viewing.

In terms of the role he plays with Lille, it’s not too dissimilar to the one he had for Gent. Operating as the advanced attacking midfielder behind two strikers in a 3-4-1-2 shape, he now plays as the second striker in a 4-4-2 system.

Immediately there will be Lacazette style bells ringing, but, worry not, David definitely leans more toward the centre-forward role than the No. 10. A large part of that is because he’s very quick.

An excellent option to have in transition and on counter-attacks, when Lille defend he is the furthest forward player ready to bend runs into space where his clever movement can come to the fore. Picking out defenders’ blindspots and being spontaneous with his runs, this mature level of reading the game is uncommon in players of his age.

Attacking spaces as he does, this diversity of movement sees him pop up in various zones around the box where he can fire shots off with either foot: he is exceptionally two-footed.

Because he isn’t a penalty box poacher as such, he ranks only 17th percentile for total shots (fbref), a volume that is counteracted by the quality. Registering a massive 58.9% of his shots on target with an average xG per shot of 0.20, he is in the 99th percentile for the quality of his efforts: on average he scores with near enough every three shots.

Not someone to need a second invitation, his predatory instincts around the 18-yard box see him score a healthy number of goals from broken play. Foreseeing the drop of the ball or a deflection, he gets himself into the right areas to punish the opposition.

Finding his feet in Lille and now bursting with confidence, David’s intelligent use of possession and dynamism in forward areas is balanced with strength to protect the ball and bring others into play. Clocking an 80% passing accuracy and 97th percentile final third pressures, he’s someone with the framework to be a lethal striker for many years to come.

All of which sounds rather inviting. But, are there any chinks in the armour of a deadly striker working his way up to the elite bracket?

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Jonathan David’s Weaknesses as a Striker

The varied striker role David has at Lille is perfectly dovetailed with Burak Yılmaz’s more physically dominating usage. The pair work off each other effectively and were it not for some wasteful finishing from the Turk this season then David would have some assists to his name this term.

While this system allows the Canadian to drop off and play on the shoulder, when he moves into wide areas his less favourable traits come out. One-on-one he isn’t especially effective, which is surprising considering his excellent pace.

Some of his one-touch flicks are delightful, but as a dribbler with the ball at his feet there are some technical weaknesses: sometimes his touch can be slightly clunky and his lack of top-level experience sees him hold onto the ball for too long or release too early.

Not quite assertive with the ball at his feet – other than his superb finishing – while his passing accuracy is good there is certainly room for more punch in terms of decisiveness and incision. Watching him it feels like sometimes his feet have to catch up to his electric movement and pace.

Only a smidgen taller than Lacazette – and still under six foot – understandably he doesn’t boast brilliant aerial numbers. Playing alongside the more dominant Yilmaz, who is always an option in the air, his lowly 23.7% of aerials won (10th percentile) aren’t as damaging to his current side as they would be elsewhere.

All of which can sound especially harsh, but it isn’t: David is the top scorer in Ligue 1 for a reason and the queues for his signature will see him last but two seasons in France before being moved on. A transfer is inevitable, and this despite the aforementioned barren spell he suffered as he found his feet in Lille.

Is there something here for Arsenal? Is David a player perfectly crafted for Arteta?

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Jonathan David is Not the Perfect Fit for Arsenal – But He Can be

The Canadian’s attacking qualities are superb. This is someone who almost always hits the target, can strike the ball cleanly with both feet and is producing on the Champions League stage. Each side of his game is developing every week – his link up play is getting noticeably better – and he has the capability to drop off, connect play and also the pace to play on the shoulder.

What’s better, the current state of French football’s finances mean he will come in at a fraction of some of the fees for other strikers in Europe, with not a great deal over the £25m Lille forked out said to be enough to lure him away.

At such a young age with room for development, as well as a hunger to succeed demonstrated by his move to Belgium at such a young age and decision to join Lille over other clubs, what is not to like?

Barring the occasional quality concerns – technical craft and aerial prowess – the drawback is whether there is just too much development needed. Under normal circumstances he might be exactly what Arsenal are after, but this is a team not in need of another ‘project’ addition, and instead craving a transformative option to lift the ceiling of the side immediately.

David has all components and is showing development in the right areas to suggest he certainly can be that player, it’s just how long do Arsenal have to see that come to fruition? In an established environment with familiarity and comfort of selection, David is someone who can keep exploding. Factor in adjustment to the Premier League and a different style of play, and the two goals in 25 appearances stretch could be on show again.

There is also the debate as to whether he is suited to playing as a lone striker. Arteta’s current 4-4-2 will not last and David has flourished in both his senior clubs with a fellow frontman (or two) to bounce off. Stylistically there could be an even longer wait.

Were Arsenal to make a move in the summer and sign David with the view of him working off Aubameyang for a season before being integrated then there would be no backlash. He is undoubtedly talented and on his way up.

However, while he might be the right guy, it feels like, just maybe, it’s the wrong time.