Arsenal’s Wishlist Reveals Three January Transfer Targets
In the league thus far, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli—the first-choice trio—have only managed ten goals. On Thursday evening, Jesus in particular missed a lot of wonderful chances.
Four days before the January transfer market opens, the timing of the setback could not have been more significant, even though it may have kept Mikel Arteta’s team from reaching the Premier League summit again.
In the aftermath of the loss, Arteta firmly supported his players and kept quiet about the possibility of any January acquisitions. If the Gunners are to continue their title challenge in the coming year, the Spaniard must be growing increasingly conscious of the necessity to bolster his forward line.
Here are three center-forward targets the Gunners should consider signing as the transfer season approaches.
Ivan Toney
For good reason, Ivan Toney is perhaps the first name that many Arsenal supporters would want to see.
The Brentford striker, who scored 32 goals in his two previous seasons in the top division, will still draw a lot of interest in the new year even if he was sidelined for almost seven months owing to a gambling suspension.
The 27-year-old flourishes where Gabriel Jesus finds it difficult to lead an attacking line. Arteta is in severe need of sourcing his physical presence and all-around talent, which he now lacks.
Arsenal hasn’t yet managed to win ugly on a regular basis. That will be somewhat resolved by signing Toney.
Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford, has been adamant about wanting to hold onto Toney past the January transfer deadline. However, Toney’s contract expires in the summer of next year, so if Arsenal makes an offer, the west London team could be smart to cash in on their £60 million-rated asset.
Dominic Solanke
Since winning the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball, Solanke’s talent has been clear. Nevertheless, it appears that the Englishman has only recently started to realise his long-held potential.
The Bournemouth striker, who scored his first hat-trick just before Christmas, has already scored 12 goals in the league this season. He is a long cry from the talent academy product that Liverpool signed in 2017 and may be an interesting addition for the Gunners.
Thanks to Andoni Iraola, the new Cherries manager, Solanke is currently playing the finest football of his career. Solanke should be able to adapt to Arteta’s front-foot style with ease because to the Spaniard’s press-heavy tactics.
He has a similar tactical profile to the previously mentioned Toney due to his height and speed, but at a more enticing price that Arsenal would be foolish to overlook.
Serhou Guirassy
Large-scale money transfers might frequently encounter difficulties in January. Arsenal may therefore need to look elsewhere if they are unable to persuade Toney or Solanke to leave their respective Premier League teams.
If such is the case, they will not come across many more alluring offers than Serhou Guirassy’s. The 27-year-old is in the best form of his life, having scored 17 goals in only 14 games for Stuttgart, who are third in the Bundesliga right now.
The Guinean international’s release clause is only around £15 million, so even though he will be leaving for the AFCON in early January, a number of clubs will probably be interested in signing him.
Premier League teams have had mixed results in the past with moves from the Bundesliga, but if other choices don’t work out, it might be worth the risk at such a low cost.