Arsenal linked with strikers
Arsenal currently have a number of attacking options on their books. However, the majority could certainly be improved upon.
Alexandre Lacazette has been used as Arsenal’s main no.9 under Mikel Arteta. But the Frenchman’s form is often inconsistent. He is also 30 and, most importantly, out of contract next summer.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is another experienced option at centre-forward, but he generally performs best on the left-wing.
This leaves the inexperienced trio of Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli and Folarin Balogun. And the former of that trio is also out of contract next summer.
As a result, it was not too surprising to see it reported that the Gunners will try to sign a forward in the winter window.
And, so far, a number of names, including Youssef En-Nesyri, Andreas Belotti and Eran Zahavi have all been linked.
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – JULY 24: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly between Stoke City and Aston Villa at bet365 Stadium on July 24, 2021 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
Martinez comments on Watkins show perfect Arsenal match
More recently, meanwhile, it appears Arsenal’s focus has shifted to be more local, with two top Premier League strikers linked with the north London outfit.
These players were Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin:
📰🗣️ Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins are on Arsenal’s list as they prepare for the departure of Alexandre Lacazette.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 5, 2021
Watkins of Villa, of course, now plies his trade with former Aston Villa goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez.
And Martinez’s previous comments on Watkins show why Arsenal should be looking to sign the hitman. Speaking back in 2020, the Argentine said this on the striker:
“He’s been outstanding for us, not just the goal-scoring and the finishing but his work ethic He’s a nightmare for defenders.”
Quotes via football.london.
Of course, the goalscoring point is important, but it is Martinez’s comments on Watkin’s work ethic which show why the Englishman is a perfect fit for Arsenal.
As already mentioned, Lacazette has largely been used as Arsenal’s main no.9 under Arteta, and though he is not the most clinical striker, the Frenchman has featured so frequently due to the amount of running/pressing he does.
So, in Watkins, it appears that, judging by Martinez’s comments, he would be able to do a similar job to Lacazette, only with a better end product.
Italy vs Spain betting tips: Nations League semi-final preview, predictions and odds
Belgium vs France betting tips: Nations League semi-final preview, predictions and odds
Arsenal betting odds, next game:
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers
| Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Result/Both teams score | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 5/2 | 6/4 |
| Crystal Palace | 11/1 | 9/1 |
| Draw | 9/2 | 10/1 |
Arsenal’s latest videos
Champions League media day! | Behind the scenes at Arsenal training centre
Head behind the scenes at London Colney to see what happened when Arsenal Women…
2021-10-05T16:02:40Z
HIGHLIGHTS | Aston Villa vs Arsenal (0-4) | Little with her 150th goal, McCabe from 40 yards!
Our perfect start to the Women’s Super League season continued on Saturday as we…
2021-10-05T12:52:11Z
Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Chelsea FC | 7 | 12 | 16 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 7 | 11 | 15 |
| 3 | Manchester City | 7 | 11 | 14 |
| 4 | Manchester United | 7 | 8 | 14 |
| 5 | Everton FC | 7 | 5 | 14 |
| 6 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 7 | 3 | 14 |
| 7 | Brentford FC | 7 | 4 | 12 |
| 8 | Tottenham Hotspur | 7 | -4 | 12 |
| 9 | West Ham United | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 7 | 1 | 10 |
| 11 | Arsenal FC | 7 | -5 | 10 |
| 12 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 7 | -1 | 9 |
| 13 | Leicester City | 7 | -3 | 8 |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 7 | -3 | 7 |
| 15 | Watford FC | 7 | -3 | 7 |
| 16 | Leeds United | 7 | -7 | 6 |
| 17 | Southampton FC | 7 | -5 | 4 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 7 | -6 | 3 |
| 19 | Newcastle United | 7 | -8 | 3 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 7 | -14 | 1 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 6 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 6 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 5 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 4 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 4 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 4 |
| Sarr, Ismaila | Watford FC | 4 |
| Townsend, Andros | Everton FC | 3 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 3 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 3 |
| Gray, Demarai | Everton FC | 3 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 3 |
| Lukaku, Romelu | Chelsea FC | 3 |
| Calvert-Lewin, Dominic | Everton FC | 3 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Hwang, Hee-chan | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 3 |
| Greenwood, Mason | Manchester United | 3 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 2 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 2 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 4 |
| Skipp, Oliver | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 4 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 0 | 3 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 0 | 3 |
| Rice, Declan | West Ham United | 0 | 3 |
| Cooper, Liam | Leeds United | 0 | 3 |
| Norgaard, Christian | Brentford FC | 0 | 3 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 3 |
| Veltman, Joel | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 3 |
| Brownhill, Josh | Burnley FC | 0 | 3 |
| Etebo, Oghenekaro | Watford FC | 0 | 3 |
| Djenepo, Moussa | Southampton FC | 0 | 3 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 0 | 1 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 0 | 2 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 2 |
| Jimenez, Raul | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 2 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 0 | 2 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 0 | 2 |
| Alonso, Marcos | Chelsea FC | 0 | 2 |
| Ward Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 1 | 1 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 7 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 4 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 4 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 3 |
| Saint-Maximin, Allan | Newcastle United | 3 |
| Kovacic, Mateo | Chelsea FC | 3 |
| Townsend, Andros | Everton FC | 2 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 2 |
| Ings, Danny | Aston Villa | 2 |
| Toney, Ivan | Brentford FC | 2 |
| Jimenez, Raul | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 |
| Bamford, Patrick | Leeds United | 2 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 2 |
| Azpilicueta, Cesar | Chelsea FC | 2 |
| Gross, Pascal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2 |
| King, Joshua | Watford FC | 2 |
| Pereira, Ricardo | Leicester City | 2 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 2 |
| Rice, Declan | West Ham United | 2 |
