Arsenal leading transfer race for £42m rated forward

Cody Gakpo Can Be Arsenal’s New Striker

What do Arsenal need for a striker? The idea with Gakpo is a fairly simple one in theory: that he can be converted into a full-time centre-forward, a position he has played previously although not anywhere to the extent of left-winger.

In the era of Arteta’s positional play there is more room for flexibility. Arsenal will want someone to do ‘Lacazette things’, but there is also scope for development in style and as a team when incorporating a No. 9 who can actually score goals.

Gakpo is tall. He’s physically imposing. His dribbling ability in close quarters and at pace is frightening, and the comparisons to early years Thierry Henry naturally follow as a result. Key to him being a potential centre-forward in the future is the timing of his arrivals in the box, which is more important than where you start. He’s hungry in those areas and rarely is left to starve, such is his eye for goal.

A more apt example of a forward moving centrally from wide would be Ollie Watkins, who made the shift expertly during his Brentford days. Arteta utilises a different system with positional play, one where spacing is crucial and interchangeability is encouraged, and having Gabriel Martinelli out on the left expands the horizons for change.

Nothing is ever perfect, of course, and the devastating speed and direct running Gakpo has out on the left would lose some of its devastation with a new role to fulfill, but there is definite scope for him to move into a central zone with some clever coaching.

Or, conversely, he’s seen as another strong addition to the forward line in general, and not as a new starting striker. There is always that possibility, too.

What Gakpo is, however, is an outstanding young talent who is improving every week at an alarming rate. His numbers this season, especially creatively and on the European stage, are superb. Any time Liverpool or Bayern Munich are keen on a player it’s best to take that interest seriously.

An outstanding wide player with all the tools? Certainly. The new positionally fluid centre-forward Arsenal might what? Quite possibly.

In either case, the links are to be taken seriously.