According to Football.London, Arsenal are currently scouting three players at the moment. The offensive duo of Odsonne Edouard and Jonathan David has been identified as ideal targets as Mikel Arteta look to add more attacking options at his disposal. Meanwhile, the Gunners are also monitoring the situation of Dayot Upamecano.
In this article, we will discuss how each of these individuals can fit into the Arsenal lineup next season.
Odsonne Edouard: A replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s days at Arsenal could be numbered, with the club on the verge of once again missing out on Champions League football. The Gabonese international has already been linked with a move away from Emirates, and given how much the Gunners have underperformed, his departure in the summer is not an unlikely scenario.
In order to replace Aubameyang, Arsenal must look for a goalscoring forward, and that’s where Edouard comes in. The Celtic star has lit up the Scottish Premiership since joining the club in 2018. He has, in fact, scored as many as 60 goals in just 126 competitive appearances for the Hoops.
Edouard is identified as a complete striker. He can not only score goals but can also create chances, meaning he could definitely make a strong case for replacing not only Aubameyang but also Alexandre Lacazette at Arsenal next season.
Jonathan David: A Nicolas Pepe alternative?
It is no secret that Arsenal have lacked bite in the creative department. Last summer’s marquee signing Nicolas Pepe has failed miserably while Reiss Nelson has also struggled with injuries and lack of form. Even Mesut Ozil has not been able to make the desired impact despite his improvement under Arteta. The addition of David, therefore, could be a viable move by the club.
Unlike Ozil, the Canadian international is a prolific attacking midfielder, who has 18 goals for KAA Gent in the Jupiler Pro League this season. However, David has minimal experience at the highest level of football, which raises doubts over his credibility of performing in the Premier League.
Dayot Upamecano: The answer to Arsenal’s defensive woes
Arsenal’s lacklustre defence has already been well documented this season. They have struggled to keep up with high pressing, speedy opposition attackers, with the likes of David Luiz and Sokratis often failing to keep check of their markers. They have also looked tentative in the build-up play, making numerous unforced errors throughout the campaign.
That’s where Upamecano could come in handy. Unlike any of the current crop of Arsenal defenders, the RB Leipzig star is a fully-fledged ball-playing centre-back. He can not only find midfielders and attackers with his laser passes, but he can also thread in long diagonal balls and create chances for his team.
Upamecano is a hard-working defender, boasting an imposing frame. He can, therefore, expect to become Arsenal’s first-choice centre-back, starting alongside any of Luiz, Sokratis or Shkodran Mustafi. However, the RB Leipzig defender is likely to cost a fortune.
