Arsenal’s 6 striker transfer targets this summer – ranked

3. Darwin Nunez – Benfica

In case the world didn’t already have their eyes peeled on Darwin Nunez, him scoring yet another goal, this time in the Champions League against Liverpool, ensured no gaze was broken.

Listing his finer traits is quite exhausting. Nunez is fast, strong, tactically flexible, decisive, has a varied shooting style and is instinctive. Netting 28 goals across 35 appearances this season simply can’t be ignored, even if claims of him ‘stat padding’ against admittedly weak Portuguese opposition aren’t overly wide of the mark.

But that ignores what he’s producing on the biggest club stage. A supremely composed finish against Liverpool was his fifth in the Champions League this season, having also netted against Bayern and Barcelona, while it was his headed goal against Ajax that secured Benfica a spot in the quarter-finals.

For someone with such a tall and imposing frame his penchant for running the channels and playing on the last shoulder is not akin to someone of his build. There is real power in those shoulder and in those legs.

As far as a package goes, and still only 22 years old, he’s someone your eyes struggle to drift away from. Unlike Lacazette he offers a presence at No. 9, whether that be making space for others as he attracts markers, or causing a nuisance in the area.

What is lacking? The issue is that it’s a rather important factor. While his first and secondary movements are sharp and intelligent, technically his first touch and link up play are far below the level Arsenal need from their centre-forward. Often heavy or overhit, there is a clunky nature to his ability when he has his back to goal that is concerning. In the box he’s aggressive and sharp with his touches, yet as a central axis to bind other elements together he leaves a lot to be desired.

Can that be worked on? Potentially. But only potentially.

Continued on next page…