Hale End academy graduate Folarin Balogun seemed like a potential first-choice striker in the long-term but Mikel Arteta opted to cash in on the 22-year-old while his stock was high, selling the USMNT star in a deal worth €40million (£34million), which also included a 17.5% sell-on clause, football.london understands. Brentford's Ivan Toney has since been mooted as a potential target for the north Londoners but a closer look at his goalscoring numbers show that he isn't the talismanic-like presence to take Arteta's side to the next level.
A more exciting option upfront would be Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who recently fell out with the club following a TikTok scandal which resulted in the player's agent, Roberto Calenda, releasing a formal statement condemning the Italian giants. A recent report from Calciomercato even suggested that the Naples-based club are keen on Arsenal frontman Gabriel Jesus as a possible replacement - which could of course result in a potential swap deal involving Osimhen.
But realistically, Arsenal would need both. Jesus offers a rare blend of intense pressing, elite hold-up play and the ability to take on players with his tricky dribbling
The 24-year-old also found the back of the net on five occasions in the UEFA Champions League, proving he can do it at the highest level - a trait that the Gunners certainly need. There is also a world where Osimhen and Jesus can play together.
The latter's versatility was shown at the weekend during his side's 1-0 victory over Manchester City. The Brazilian played on the right wing in Bukayo Saka's absence and he even started on the left flank during last month's North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
0 Comments