What Striker Should Arsenal Sign This Summer?
Arsenal F.C. is on pace to finish in second in the Premier League for the third consecutive year. The Gunners will also be going trophyless yet again, with the 2020 FA Cup and the 2023 Community Shield being the only silverware lifted during the Mikel Arteta reign. Through 36 matches, Arsenal are fourth in the Premier League in goals scored and sixth in expected goals, even though they outperformed their xG by nine goals. The Gunners notably lack a true striker, as Kai Havertz, who, due to injury, has only played 21 league matches, and Gabriel Jesus, who tore his ACL in January. In 2023-24, Havertz bagged 13 league goals and Jesus had four. The team’s hole up top and their lack of goal production have Arsenal fans begging for a new striker to come to North London this summer; let’s take a look at some of the candidates.
1. Viktor Gyökeres. The reasonable choice.
Sporting striker Viktor Gyökeres has been one of the hottest names of this season. The Swede has 38 goals in 32 league games and six goals in eight Champions League matches. His innate ability to find the back of the net makes him an obvious candidate for Arsenal. Gyökeres’ scoring numbers were impressive, but arguably more significant to the Gunners is that he was in the 99th percentile in both progressive carries and touches in the penalty area per 90 minutes among forwards playing Portugal. Arsenal struggled to generate dangerous actions in the center of their attack this year, and Gyökeres could be the solution as he possesses the skill to be effective in those tight areas close to the goal. According to transfermarkt.us, he is valued at 75 million euros. At 26 years old, Gyökeres’ talent has likely outgrown the Primeira Liga as he is entering his prime and could be looking for a new home, potentially in North London.
2. Alexander Isak. The home run signing
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is the striker who has almost every big club salivating. Isak can score with both feet and his head with power and accuracy. His pace and his box presence are a rare blend as he’s been described as “a true modern-day striker”. Isak has scored 23 times in 33 Premier League matches, outperforming his xG by nearly three goals, a tribute to his finishing ability. Like Gyökeres, Isak could be the missing piece to Arsenal’s attack down the middle. He is in the 90th percentile of penalty box touches per 90 minutes and 97th percentile in successful take-on percentage among Premier League forwards. Isak is a better aerial finisher than Gyökeres, above an inch taller, a year younger, and valued at 25 million euros more than his fellow Swede. Acquiring Isak from Newcastle will be difficult for the Gunners, not only because of the high asking price but also because the Magpies may be opposed to selling him to another English team. However, if Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League, Isak may ask for a transfer, as a player of his caliber should be playing in Europe's top competition. Arsenal have a say in this as they face Newcastle on Saturday, as a win for the Gunners could help in more ways than one.
3. Ademola Lookman. The sneaky pick
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman was immortalized last May for scoring a hat trick in the Europa League final to end Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run. This year in Serie A, he’s been productive, scoring 15 goals in 30 matches. Lookman is in the 99th percentile among Serie A forwards for shot creating actions and penalty area touches per 90 minutes. Like Isak, Lookman is an ambidextrous scorer who can finish from all over the pitch, as he’s outperformed his xG by almost five goals. Lookman is a smaller striker, but that shouldn’t concern Arsenal as the Gunners are loaded with taller physical players. The Nigerian attacker could also help Arsenal drive the ball forward centrally, as that is one of his specialties for Atlanta and an area in which the Gunners have struggled. Lookman also has Premier League experience, having played for Leicester City, Fulham, and Everton. He is valued less than Isak and Gyökeres at 60 million euros and is only 27 years old. Lookman could be looking for a way out of Bergamo after a clash with coach Gian Piero Gasperini following a penalty kick against Club Brugge during their Champions League elimination. Arsenal have already invested major money paying Martin Zubimendi’s release clause, so Lookman could be a wise option, especially if they're also targeting a player like Rodrygo, who’d also command major cash.
A new striker could be the key for Arsenal to finally win the big trophies under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners are fortunate to be striker shopping in a summer that looks to be full of elite options up top. After another unsuccessful run at the Premier League title, fans are looking for more goals and more danger down the middle. There are plenty of solid options for the Gunners, but most importantly, there needs to be a new number nine in North London.
