Arsenal go to Plan B after giving up elite striker search

Jacque Talbot

5 Jul 2024 18:30 BST
3 min read

Arsenal have pulled the breaks on signing a heavyweight striker, according to reports.

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The Gunners missed out on the Premier League title last season, coming in second with Manchester City once again clinching the title. Question marks around Gabriel Jesus’ form saw Mikel Arteta decide to use Kai Havertz as the club’s leading No.9.

The forward surprised many after languishing in midfield and netted 13 league goals upfront - the most he has scored since playing for Bayer Leverkusen.

After the season concluded, Arsenal were linked with several high profile names to come in and compete with Havertz. The likes of Victor Osimhen of Napoli and Alexander Isak of Newcastle had all been linked.

Now the latest report from Sky Sports has stated that Arsenal will instead be looking to sign a young forward who can come in and develop at the Emirates Stadium.

Reporter Dharmesh Sheth spoke on Sky Sports TV, saying: “It’s our information that the profile of forward Arsenal are looking for is a young forward with a high ceiling & big potential, one that will challenge & provide more competition for the established players already at the club.”

© IMAGO - Kai Havertz played as Arsenal's No.9

Arsenal have Eddie Nketiah still in their squad but the attacker has been extensively linked with a move away, with Crystal Palace and Brentford linked.

But as of now, those links have faded somewhat, and he still remains an Arsenal player.

🚨 @skysports_sheth: “It’s our information that the profile of forward Arsenal are looking for is a young forward with a high ceiling & big potential, one that will challenge & provide more competition for the established players already at the club.” [Sky] #afc pic.twitter.com/vs9hjlWaEz
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 5, 2024

Current ETV

Eddie Nketiah

F (CL), AM (L)

Arsenal

Eddie Nketiah

F (CL), AM (L)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€10.7M - €17.9M

The Gunners are set to receive substantial backing in the summer window and they can also reply on player sales to give them a lift.

They still have multimillion-pound assets on their books such as Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, and Thomas Party. The exit of those would free up a lot of room for Arsenal but it remains to be seen whether they would be willing to spend all that money on one position or several.