Much has been said, written and reported about Arsenal’s need to sign a striker over the last 18 months. That shows no signs of stopping as the summer transfer window presents yet more rumours and speculation about what the Gunners may do with the centre forward position.
Arsenal were widely urged to go into the market to sign a new striker back in January. After injuries to several forward players, it would have been understandable if the Gunners had gone into the market for reinforcements to help their Premier League title bid and Champions League hopes.
In the end, Arsenal chose not to go into the market for a new striker. This year, though, it could be very different.
A host of players have already been linked with signing for Arsenal this summer, particularly in the centre-forward role. Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike is the latest name to be mentioned on the rumour mill.
Reports from Germany have claimed that Arsenal have now joined the race to sign Ekitike, who has previously been linked with Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United.
Ekitike is reported to be valued by Frankfurt at around €100 million (£85m), which would represent a significant financial commitment if Arsenal were to try and sign Ekitike this summer.
If the France Under-21 international was to move to the Emirates Stadium, it would be a major statement of intent from Arsenal, as well as be a major boost to several members of the squad.
Bukayo Saka, for example, would likely be thrilled to see a new centre forward in the squad.
With Ekitike in the team, Saka would then have a centre forward he could either provide regular assists for, or allow him to have more room on the right wing to cause trouble for opposition defences.
The England international endured an injury-hit campaign last term but will be hoping to put that in the rearview mirror and focus on the campaign ahead.
The signing of Ekitike would also be a boost to club captain Martin Odegaard. Wearing the captain’s armband hands Odegaard with a large amount of responsbility, as does being the designated creative midfielder in the team.
The Gunners not having a centre forward for large parts of last season would have made chance creation and assists all the more challenging for Odegaard and other players in the final third.
With Ekitike in the team, though, it would give Arsenal a focal point up front and allow Odegaard to have a teammate who could latch onto passes behind the defence, or create space for either Saka on the right wing and one of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard on the left.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal face a crucial summer transfer window if they want to push Liverpool and Manchester City for the title next season and you can stay up to date with every breaking news story, opinion and more…
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