Although Arsenal feature in the top five scoring teams in Europe this season so far, it is clearly noticeable that the Gunners’ forward line has often failed to score in crucial games against big opponents. While the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Lucas Perez, Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud prove that Arsenal definitely have some big names in the line-up, there has hardly been a time when all of them have been clinical in front of the goal in the same period.
Arsene Wenger’s faulty team setup has largely contributed to these strikers falling short of their best performances and with increasing talks of a new manager replacing the 67-year-old at the end of the season, we expect some pretty major changes to the squad.
Many have criticised the Arsenal manager of giving way more chances to some players than they have deserved and one such example is Theo Walcott. Although the English forward has kept the score sheet ticking this season, his quality has hardly matched the club’s standard and a new name at the helm could see him leaving Emirates next season. The only world-class forward Arsenal could boast of having is Alexis Sanchez and the club is yet to confirm his contract extension.
With a host of changes expected next season both on and off the pitch, a quality striker would top Arsenal’s shopping list. And according to latest reports, the North-London club is eyeing a big money move for Celtic sensation Moussa Dembele.
The 20-year-old has been on the radar of top European clubs like Chelsea and Real Madrid and the Gunners are surely not going to have this easy. The French youngster has already scored 26 goals in 40 appearances, including hat-tricks in his last two games.
While one could doubt the striker’s quality, given the low competition in the Scottish Premiership, his impressive displays against the likes of Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League indicates his immense confidence on the pitch. Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is well aware that they cannot hold onto him for long and has attached a hefty 40-million-pound price tag to the player.
At 6’ feet, Dembele is capable physically to survive in the English football and is extremely good in the air. He is full of energy and will fit in well and with the likes of Sanchez, Ramsey, Ozil and possibly Wilshere sitting behind him to provide the passes, he could really flourish at Arsenal. And most importantly, Dembele has something that Arsenal lack- a winning mentality. Something for which the Gunners might as well go ahead and pay his lump sum transfer fee, which is so against their trait.
