Arsenal’s six-man striker shortlist revealed: Ranking the Gunners’ best options

Robin Bairner

29 Nov 2024 13:00 CST
4 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, striker shortlist — © IMAGO

Arsenal will continue to chase a centre-forward in 2025, with Mikel Arteta having put together a six-man shortlist for the position.

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The Gunners chased a No.9 during the summer of 2024 but were put off by high asking prices for Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen. The respective clubs of these players – RB Leipzig, Sporting CP and Napoli – were all asking for north of €100 million to do a deal.

Arsenal remain in the market for a new forward to help support Kai Havertz as Gabriel Jesus continues to struggle.

According to CaughtOffside, they have put together a six-man shortlist for the task:

Alexander Isak – Newcastle

Benjamin Sesko – RB Leipzig

Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford

Mateo Retegui – Atalanta

Liam Delap – Ipswich

Randal Kolo Muani - PSG

Which striker suits Arsenal best?

Arsenal’s search for a striker has been extensive, and using SciSports Career Advice tool, FootballTransfers has looked at which of these players fits the Gunners best. This is based on various factors such as potential development, game time, playing style and formation, and provides a Club Fit score. The higher this is, the more suitable the deal.

Here’s the ranking from the least suitable striker to the most:

6. Bryan Mbeumo

CLUB FIT SCORE: 66

Arteta is known to love signing players with Premier League experience, but while Mbeumo could reach his full potential at the Emirates Stadium, there’s not an awful lot more to like about this move, according to the data analysis experts.

The Cameroon international would quickly fall into the background at Arsenal.

STATS

Bryan Mbeumo

F (CR), AM (R)

Brentford

Bryan Mbeumo

F (CR), AM (R)

Brentford

12

Games
8

Goals
1

Assists

5. Liam Delap

CLUB FIT SCORE: 70

There’s a good deal of hype about the Ipswich hitman at present, but from a relatively small sample size of games, there is still doubt as to whether he will be able to cut it at the very top level on a long-term basis.

With Chelsea and Manchester United admirers of the striker, his price is likely to be driven up to a very significant figure.

4. Benjamin Sesko

CLUB FIT SCORE: 70

Perhaps it’s a surprise that Sesko doesn’t score more highly on this matrix. The experts believe that he will struggle to develop his game at the Emirates Stadium but they do predict he would earn significant playing time and would be in a formation that suits him.

His return of just three goals in the Bundesliga this season is far from stellar given the transfer fee he is likely to command.

3. Randal Kolo Muani

CLUB FIT SCORE: 81

France striker Randal Kolo Muani is struggling to make an impression at PSG and has reportedly been offered to a string of Premier League sides, potentially on just a loan deal.

Arsenal would be a smart fit for the centre-forward, who could develop his game under Arteta and would push Havertz significantly for playing time. This is not a deal to dismiss outright.

Current ETV

Randal Kolo Muani

F (C)

PSG

Randal Kolo Muani

F (C)

PSG

ETV Range

€22.9M - €38.1M

2. Alexander Isak

CLUB FIT SCORE: 81

Sweden striker Isak ticks a lot of boxes for Arsenal and Arteta, particularly his record in the Premier League over a prolonged period.

SciSports believe that he would fit nicely into the Gunners’ setup and would be able to take his game to an even higher level.

Getting Newcastle will be the challenge here.

1. Mateo Retegui

CLUB FIT SCORE: 87

Retegui has been quietly one of the form strikers in Europe, scoring 12 goals in 13 Serie A matches this season. Despite this, the transfer hype around the 25-year-old Italy international has been a little limited.

Arsenal would be an excellent fit for the centre-forward, who scores four stars with development and playing time, and hits the maximum five for style, suggesting this could be the dream deal for both the Gunners and Retegui.