It's no secret that Arsenal are going to be in the market for a striker this summer. Ever since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left to join Barcelona the Gunners have been short on numbers up top and with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah's contracts set to expire at the end of the season that doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon.
Folarin Balogun has impressed during his loan spell with Middlesbrough and is set to return to the Emirates this summer, but with Gabriel Martinelli operating as more of a left winger these days he would be the only orthodox number nine on Mikel Arteta's books. As a result it appears that Edu is going to be on the hunt for at least one number nine this summer.
There is scope that it could even be as many as two if Lacazette does not end up staying. The Frenchman is Arsenal's captain and has started every Premier League match since December 12, but talks are yet to begin over a potential extension on his deal as Arteta seeks to ensure his focus is on securing a top four finish.
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“We have discussions, as you know, and at the end of the season, once we know where we are, we will make a decision altogether,” the Spaniard said. “I don’t want anyone to think about something else that is not that. The decision, we agreed, is to do it in the summer and we’re going to do it as soon as the season is finished.”
It's a big dilemma to solve, but with decisions still to be made it is clear that a striker is going to be top of Arsenal's shopping list this summer. With that in mind, here football.london takes a look at five of the players they could end up bringing to the Emirates Stadium.
Darwin Nunez
The most strongly linked name at the minute would appear to be Benfica's Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan striker has caught the attention of many this season with an impressive record of 28 goals in 35 matches. Far from just being a flat track bully in the Portuguese League though Nunez has delivered on the European stage, netting in matches against Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Ajax and Liverpool.
football.london understands that he is among the list of players Arsenal are tracking in the position and it's easy to see why. As someone who is just 22-years-of-age he fits in to the age demographic of signings that Josh Kroenke and Edu pursued last summer, while his pace means he has the mobility to keep up with the rest of the Gunners attack in a way that Lacazette sometimes struggles.
Reports have suggested that he would be available for around £67 million this summer. While that may seem an eye watering price tag for a player who's never done it in any of Europe's top five leagues, Arsenal would be paying for potential and potential leader in their front line for years to come.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
The links to Dominic Calvert-Lewin may have cooled recently, but it's worth remembering why Arsenal were interested in him in the first place. The England striker is immense in the air and would be able to take advantage of Kieran Tierney's world class crossing delivery, while his strength and hold up play makes him an impressive focal point for the attack to play off.
The concerns over the England international revolve largely around his injury record after a fractured toe saw him miss four months of this season. His record in front of goal since returning has not been particularly impressive either, but it's worth noting that most strikers in the world would struggle to score in the mess of a side that is Frank Lampard's Everton right now.
Should the Toffees go down then Calvert-Lewin could be available for a much more reasonable price than the £70million that has been quoted in the past. He may not be the red-hot finisher the Gunners demand, but in terms of offering something different up top to what Arsenal have had so far, the England forward could fit the bill nicely.
Alexander Isak
football.london understands that attempts were made to persuade Alexander Isak to join Arsenal from Real Sociedad in January. Fans began drawing up their own conspiracy theories when the Swede was spotted in London on a short holiday, but with Sociedad unwilling to budge on their striker's reported £75million release clause the deal was a non starter.
Isak is a different forward to all the others mentioned on this list so far in that he is more of a ball progressor than a link man. The 22-year-old is up in the 88th percentile for dribbles completed this season, and would appear to be a striker perfect for a team looking to play quickly in transition.
What he lacks though is a goalscoring touch this season. When describing his ideal striker Arteta stated that priority number one was that "he puts the ball in the net." Isak's record of just nine goals in 34 appearances so far this season would appear to be a stumbling block on that front.
Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo arguably isn't even a striker. Most of his games for PSV have come on the left wing this season, so what exactly is he doing on this list?
Well most who have watched the Dutchman play believe that he has everything it takes to make the transition in to being a central player at some point in his career. Arsenal have a fond history with wingers turned into strikers through Thierry Henry, so they could consider taking a gamble here.
With 17 goals and 15 assists it's easy to see why they might be tempted by the 22-year-old who is one of the most highly rated youngsters in Europe right now. Buying players from Holland is always a risk. You may get a Vincent Janssen or you may get a Ruud van Nistelrooy. Whether Arteta is willing to role the dice or not on Gakpo remains to be seen.
Jonathan David
football.london understands that Edu held a meeting with Jonathan David's representatives in December last year. The Canadian forward has really impressed this season at Lille finally adding the goalscoring capabilities to his game that his potential suggested was there.
David's game is more modelled around playing as something akin to a false nine though. Like Lacazette he looks to drop deep and link with his teammates before charging forward to try and finish off chances. It's a tactic that has seen him net 17 times in 40 appearances so far this campaign, and one that would seem to fit nicely at the Emirates.
Having joined Lille for just shy of £25million only two years ago the 22-year-old would certainly not come cheap. Other sides have also been sniffing around him which could drive up the price. It's a tough decision for Arsenal to make, but as tactical fits go, David ticks an awful lot of boxes.
