Arsenal: 3 under the radar strikers to target in transfer window

The rebuild at Arsenal has continued in a series of phases. Mikel Arteta’s first objective was to shore up an especially porous backline. Shifting into a back three before moving to a flat four while acquiring Gabriel and Benjamin White has born fruit this season, with Arsenal’s defense one of the best in the league.

More recently, the frontline players have all hit form at the same time. With our luck, that doesn’t happen too often, but we won’t complain.

Bukayo Saka has added a scoring touch to his almost commonplace brilliance. Gabriel Martinelli continues to impress with his directness and speed, and Emile Smith Rowe comes off the bench to great effect. Yet it is beyond this trio of forward players where improvement must come next.

Alexandre Lacazette is in the final year of his contract and while he has led from the front admirably in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s absence, there remain few doubts over the Frenchman’s long-term future. He will be leaving.

Arsenal: 3 under the radar striker transfer targets in January window that Mikel Arteta could sign to help to replace Aubameyang & Nketiah

While far from ancient, he is getting on in age and his fitness is a concern. He drops deep effectively but does not possess the athletic ability to burst forward consistently enough.

Arsenal, at present, need a striker with Aubameyang’s future set to be away from the club in some capacity, and with Folarin Balogun due to leave on loan. However, Eddie Nketiah may well be leaving in January and the need for one striker may extend into two.

Dusan Vlahovic, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alexander Isak are three of the primary targets, but what about those flying under the radar? If it comes down to Arsenal needing two centre-forwards, with one to complement the marquee name and develop over time, who could they go for?

Here are three striker options that the club could target for the Premier League side’s ongoing rebuild.

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3. Matias Arezo – River Plate

Matias Arezo’s profile fits the new transfer strategy at Arsenal. He is only 19 years old, but boasts heaps of potential. He could be the striker Arsenal desperately need as they look to the future.

Currently plying his trade at River Plate in Uruguay, he has started to develop a nose for goal. 15 goals in 29 games is an admirable tally in 2021 for someone of his age.

While the level of opposition has to be acknowledged, Arsenal have to take some risks. Signing Gabriel Martinelli from the third tier of Brazilian football paid off, and another South American gem is always welcome.

The Uruguayan, while not possessing the lightening speed over distances like Aubameyang, does have a burst of pace and channels his aggression well with and without the ball. His excellent close control, combined with the aforementioned burst, allows him to twist and turn in the box before getting a shot off.

While he only stands at 5’11, he scores a solid number of headers, largely due to intelligent positioning between defenders. His only weakness may simply be his age and lack of refinement. It is clear that Mikel Arteta wants his center-forward to contribute to in front of goal instead of just dropping deep, and while Arezo can be a fox-in-the-box type who will likely to turn, dribble and shoot than slot into midfield and get incisive passes to the wide players, his finishing needs improving.

He may not fit what Arteta needs right now, but at 19, he can adapt his game to the manager’s demands. What he may be lacking can also be viewed as development potential. Certain aspects can be taught. Others, like many of Arezo’s qualities, are uncoachable.

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