Why Arsenal need to sign Calvert-Lewin to replace Lacazette in the summer

FT Desk

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 6 min read

Everton desperately needed a result against Newcastle on Thursday night and they got exactly that thanks to star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Although it was Alex Iwobi who ended up sticking the pivotal goal in the back of the net for Everton’s 1-0 win, it was Calvert-Lewin who threaded the careful through ball that all but set up the goal for his team mate.

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The young striker has struggled this season due to injury, with a broken toe ruling him for much of the season and a lack of fitness keeping him out of Frank Lampard’s team.

However, with three goals and an assist in just 10 Premier League games this season, Calvert-Lewin is still making a point of proving how useful he is at either scoring or creating goals in the English top flight.

It’s that eye for goal that has seen the 25-year-old forward find his name linked with moves to Arsenal for a number of months now and such performances as the one we saw on Thursday night will surely give Mikel Arteta and his backroom staff plenty to think about ahead of the summer transfer window.

But would Calvert-Lewin be a smart signing for Arsenal? Could he really replace Alexandre Lacazette’s goals? And how much would he cost?

How good is Calvert-Lewin at scoring goals?

First and foremost, Arsenal fans will want to know whether Calvert-Lewin can put the ball in the back of the net in the Premier League on a more regular basis than Alxeandre Lacazette. And according to the stats, they should be able to rest assured on that point.

Although the English striker’s overall record in the Premier League stands at just 0.38 goals per 90 minutes, which is lower than Lacazette’s 0.51 per 90 since joining Arsenal, the young striker is certainly improving with each passing season.

As the table above shows, aside from his first two seasons in the English top flight, Calvert-Lewin’s goal scoring has improved year on year, with an extremely impressive 0.51 goals per 90 for Everton last season.

Of course, the player’s sitting on 0.33 goals per 90 this season, which is simply down to a lack of game time, but there’s every reason to suggest Calvert-Lewin will continue improving as he reaches his peak. And that should be very encouraging for Arsenal fans.

How much would Calvert-Lewin cost?

While no fees have been reported as of yet, the Everton striker certainly won’t come cheap if Arsenal are serious about signing him.

At this moment in time, Calvert-Lewin is valued at €35 million due to the fact that he is an established Premier League striker, on a contract until 2025 and just 24 years of age.

As such, Arsenal would likely need to hand over the best part of €50m if they hope to sign the player in January or next summer.