Arsenal’s 6 striker transfer targets this summer – ranked

What will Arsenal do this summer? Sign players of course! Specifically a striker or two, with the list of targets thought to be on the list ranging anywhere from four to double figures.

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly who the club are after, with various sources offering different names on a daily basis, but we can build a semi-factual group of strikers Mikel Arteta and co may be after.

There are some names who are being heavily linked without much other than vague outlets name-dropping, therefore it isn’t entirely fair to list them as a centre-forward target just yet.

Among those that supporters are most familiar with, and those with some relatively strong links, are Alexander Isak, Jonathan David, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Darwin Nunez, Victor Osimhen, and Cody Gakpo. They aren’t alone, mind you.

Arsenal’s 6 striker transfer targets this summer – ranked

Most notable is the various profiles on show.

Pinpointing exactly what it is that Arsenal need is subjective. Some may prefer the Alexandre Lacazette type who can act as a deeper central axis, or others would prefer a taller, more domineering No. 9 with running power and a natural eye for goal.

Or, maybe a little bit of everything wouldn’t go amiss.

Leaning on the subjective, of course, here are six of the Gunners’ – supposedly main – striker targets ranked from least desired to most desired.

Note: ‘least desired’ doesn’t mean ‘not desired’, and these are just the players currently being linked

6. Alexander Isak – Real Sociedad

What a fall from grace.

If this was a list being made 12 months ago then there wouldn’t be much argument about Alexander Isak being near the very top. The archetypal modern centre-forward, the Swede is someone who can stretch the lines with his powerful and quick strides, drop off and link the play, drift wide and run the channels, and has predatory instincts in the box.

This, however, was 12 months ago.

Gradually his stock has fallen. Netting 17 goals in 34 La Liga outings last season and then following that up with some impressive outings at the Euros, his goals have dried up considerably.

There were strong links – at least from the media – to Isak over the winter period, and yet we’re now looking at a striker who has netted one goal from open play in La Liga since October. Having waxed lyrical (many times) about his exceptional technical ability, development potential and suitability to Arsenal’s style, the bottom line is that he isn’t scoring anywhere near enough goals.

Watching over 18 hours of Lacazette not scoring from open play hammers home the important aspects.

What keeps him alive in the conversation is knowing the talent this lad possesses. This barren patch may not last. However, his general form has dipped and with the substantial release clause he has – one that Arsenal should never have paid – unless there is a heavy reduction on that figure then eyes should be fixed elsewhere.

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5. Jonathan David – Lille

There is a lot of excitement around Jonathan David, and from a profile perspective it’s plain to see why Arsenal are keeping tabs on the Canadian, and have been for a while.

He shares many traits with Lacazette. Someone who likes to hover around the edges of the penalty box where he plays off a taller striker in Burak Yilmaz, recently they’ve been swapping the centre-forward duties in a 4-2-3-1 shape, where his productivity has decreased.

David is an excellent option to have in transition and on counter-attacks, where his clever movement and speed comes to the fore and he makes sharp and spontaneous runs that demonstrate his mature reading of the game.

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.

It’s important that Arsenal have someone with predatory instincts around the 18-yard box, as his quick thinking in broken play both in pressing the ball and pouncing on opportunities is part of his strong form this season. But that form has dropped, his goals have dried up, and there are still question marks over his one-on-one ability and technical quality with the ball at feet.

The main concern with David is that he isn’t at the elite level. A strong and powerful runner, while he’s still young, he doesn’t pop off the screen as much as you’d like and if Arsenal are to elevate their side they might need someone with neater control and decisiveness in the final third.

An intriguing option nonetheless, it’s just that Arsenal might want to fish in a bigger pond, even if their extensive tracking of him is cause for optimism.

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4. Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Everton

Transfer preferences are just that, preferences. While stats and data can be used to analyse certain aspects, oftentimes there is a certain feeling behind a player that makes the individual feels strongly one way or another.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has plenty of admirers. Above all, he needs saving from the sinking ship that is Everton. His ability is being wasted at Goodison Park, and under Frank Lampard.

Is Arsenal the destination for him? In theory it can be, but on raw emotion, less so.

When it comes to experience at the top level and age he fits perfectly. Calvert-Lewin has been playing in the Premier League for six seasons now, all at Everton, with his goal numbers starting to climb from 2019 onwards. In the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons he scored a combined 36 goals in all competitions, a tally he continued over into the current campaign where he scored a goal in each of the first three games of the season before suffering a foot injury that sidelined him until the turn of the year.

Judging him off his numbers in 2022 is unjust since Everton are a trainwreck, so what he’s produced before that is a fairer barometer. What goes for him is that he is a presence physically, as well as in the box. He knows where the goal is, can score with either foot and his head, and is quicker across he turf than he’s given credit for.

What stands out is his secondary movements. He picks smart runs either side of defenders and when he does get touch tight he has the strength to nip in front or out-muscle his opponent. Being his age and knowing the Premier League is very helpful, and you get the feeling he’d slot into this group effortlessly.

Truthfully, however, is he the ‘one’? Notably injury prone, his technical proficiency is nowhere near an elite level and there aren’t enough dimensions to his game. If Arsenal are in the Champions League, is he the guy you want leading the line? Indeed.

Why he ranks slightly higher on this list is partly due to the noise around him. Arsenal have been tracking him for a while and there is a sneaky feeling that he is the one the club will go for this summer. If that is the case, hopefully it’s after Everton get relegated and he’s half the price because he isn’t exactly jumping off the page.

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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.

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2. Cody Gakpo – PSV Eindhoven

PSV Eindhoven have a serious talent on their hands. But only for a few more matches as if there is anything certain about the summer transfer window it’s that Cody Gakpo will be on the move.

The Dutchman is tall (6’2″), physically imposing, has outstanding dribbling ability in big and small spaces and boasts frightening pace. The majority of which he demonstrates playing out on the left for PSV, which is why there is some intrigue about Arsenal’s interest.

While he’s dabbled with playing centre-forward during his career, the prospect of him being there long-term is one to get excited about. He is built like a striker and has every raw attribute needed to succeed in the role. The fact that one of his idols growing up was Thierry Henry, and that Arsenal are interested, hints towards a positional change long-term.

But it would take time. He would be more of a project for the time being. With two wide players on the left in Martinelli and Smith Rowe, the platform is there for Gakpo to get multiple minutes at No. 9 or swap around with Martinelli. Arteta wants players who can play across multiple positions in the forward line and Gakpo (LW, ST) with Martinelli (LW, ST) and Smith Rowe (LW, No. 8) provide options to do so.

Gakpo would need a season of acclimatisation but with Arsenal wanting to sign two strikers there is that opportunity. Someone with his elite ball striking, mobility, pace and technical craft makes him an ideal fit for Arteta’s positional play, as forwards who can play on the exterior and interior are highly suitable to the system.

He of course isn’t perfect yet and would need further coaching on his economy of touches and finding a balance between his movement when moved centrally, but this 22-year-old is a special talent waiting to be unleashed in the Premier League.

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Victor Osimhen – Napoli

For just one minute let’s quickly brush over the, sadly, considerable hurdles to overcome in this transfer. Having only joined Napoli in 2020 for a fee that is disputed but thought to be around £60m, there is no denying that Victor Osimhen would cost a fair whack. Unless he was the man Arsenal sorely wanted they’ll likely price themselves out of a move, and this is before discussing the man they would have to deal with, Aurelio De Laurentiis.

So moving that to one side, Osimhen is someone who, above all, it would be fun to see in this Arsenal team. Not everything he does comes off, but he sure does entertain.

There is no more imposing physical presence at No. 9 other than Erling Haaland. Strong as an ox, as physical as a centre-forward can be and with his own gravity constantly attracting players to him, the way he bullies defenders on and off the ball can be beautiful to watch.

He scores all manner of goals, with the four he’s netted in the last two Serie A matches demonstrating clever forward play with two near-post runs and differing finishes across goal, as well as a bullet header from a cross and a well directed header from a free-kick.

At his belligerent best when he’s bruising past players with his deceptively quick speed, Osimhen is smart in the box and an absolute pressing machine off it. His work rate is outstanding.

Netting 15 goals in 25 outings this season to follow up from ten in 24 Serie A matches in his debut season, the 23-year-old has his best years ahead of him and development potential to work on he tactical side of his game.

There are some questions over his technical ability in one-touch play – his passing into space needs work – but there is room for improvement there and his profile surrounded by creativity would make for an exciting blend of brains and brawn in Arsenal’s forward line. He has a presence and brutality that few strikers can lay claim to.

Arsenal have been ‘extensively scouting’ Osimhen which makes for hugely interesting reading, although it will all come back to price and availability. He won’t come cheap, at all, the negotiations will likely be strenuous, and overall it will be a tough deal to pull off. In other words, an unlikely one.

What an exciting player he is, though.