Football writer Charles Watts has stated that he is ‘utterly convinced’ that Arsenal’s ‘priority signing’ for the next transfer window will be a striker.
As things stand, Alexandre Lacazette’s contract runs out next summer, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang isn’t getting any younger at 32 years of age.
Eddie Nketiah also looks to leave the club for free at the end of the season, while Folarin Balogun is still relatively unproven at senior level, with just nine appearances for the club.
Will Folarin Balogun get his chance at Arsenal this season?
Yes
No
While speaking about Lacazette’s future, in particular, Watts claimed that he feels the club will prioritise signing a new forward next summer as a replacement.
Discussing the matter on his YouTube channel, he explained: “It just feels like the time is right, probably, to move on, Arsenal to freshen things up in the forward line, bring in a new one in the summer. I’m utterly convinced that that will be the priority signing for Arsenal in the summer transfer window, will be a striker.
“Probably a central midfielder as well, but definitely a striker.”
TIF Thoughts on Alexandre Lacazette and Arsenal…
Lacazette has been a frequently relied upon player since signing for the Gunners in 2017. Indeed, he has now played over 170 times for the north London side, scoring 67 times.
While this goalscoring record is reasonable, his feats have been somewhat overshadowed by Aubameyang, who has scored 89 goals in 153 appearances.
Despite this, the two forwards seemingly have a good relationship off the pitch. But with Lacazette’s contract running out, it seems as though Arsenal will have to look for a new man to play alongside Aubameyang next season – and possibly one that will eventually replace the former Borussia Dortmund man.
In other news: Sky Sports pundit heaps praise on 22 y/o Arsenal ‘talent’ who is ‘only going to get better’