Mikel Arteta wants to sign two forwards in the summer transfer window, football.london understands. However, one of them is unlikely to be Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Various reports suggested the Everton striker was among several names under consideration within the club, but The Telegraph is now reporting that the Gunners have 'cooled' their interest in the 25-year-old following a difficult spell with the Toffees.
Calvert-Lewin has only made 13 appearances this season due to injury, which led to him missing just over four months' worth of action. The England international bagged 21 goals in 39 matches last year and despite making a bright start to this campaign, scoring three times in three games, things have gone downhill.
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The striker hasn't only failed to find the back of the net since August, but he has also been unable to score in his last nine league appearances since returning from injury at the start of 2022.
As a result, it now appears Arteta has decided to step away from Calvert-Lewin for the moment and focus on other options that are enjoying more success. football.london also understands Benfica's Darwin Nunez and Chelsea's Armando Broja are being monitored ahead of potential transfers this summer.
Nunez, in particular, would represent a major coup for the club if a deal can be struck. The 22-year-old is catching the eyes of many top European sides after bagging 28 goals in 35 appearances so far this season. Securing his signature will not be cheap, however, with a £67m price tag being set according to various reports.
Nonetheless, the links to the Uruguayan striker, along with the update on Calvert-Lewin, can reassure Arsenal supporters and suggest a safe route is being taken by the club's hierarchy, who will want to avoid making a costly mistake.
Although there are several areas of the current squad that need strengthening, striker is without a doubt the most important. The Gunners have already lost their top goalscorer over the last few years in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who departed for Barcelona in January. Meanwhile, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are set to leave once their contracts expire in June.