Which striker should Arsenal sign? Analysing the top targets for Mikel Arteta

Unless you’ve been living under a rock all season, you’ll have noticed Arsenal’s distinct lack of options up top. When Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus found themselves on the treatment table with long-term injuries, the goals dried up. In fact, even when the pair were fit, there were clear instances where the Gunners were worryingly blunt. 

Fast forward to today and Mikel Arteta is reportedly desperate to add some much-needed firepower to his team as the Spaniard aims to deliver Arsenal’s first Premier League title since 2003/04. A resolute defence that managed to achieve the best defensive record in the league with 0.9 goals conceded per match hasn’t been the issue, but a distinct lack of goals has. 

The North London giants didn’t have a single player in the Premier League’s top 20 goal-getters this season, with the aforementioned Havertz occupying joint 26th spot with just nine goals. For a side striving to win major honours and for Gunners fans wanting to back the team for a title win on First.com ahead of the new season, that simply isn’t good enough. 

As transfer rumours begin to gather momentum, we take a closer look at the top striker targets reportedly under consideration by Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta.

Benjamin Sesko is still a key target 

After Benjamin Sesko committed his future to RB Leipzig last summer, Arsenal reportedly turned their attention elsewhere. However, according to reports, the English behemoths have reignited their interest in the Slovenian international and are hoping to conclude a deal worth £60million for the 22-year-old. 

He’s far from the finished article, but with Sesko and attacking midfielder Xavi Simons reportedly being sold to rebalance the books at the Bundesliga club, acquiring his signature appears to be a real possibility, although Saudi Pro League clubs are also circling. 

With Benjamin Sesko reportedly holding out for a big European move, though, Arsenal are one of the favourites to land the highly coveted striker, who scored 21 goals and picked up six assists in all competitions last term. A physical presence Mikel Arteta’s side have lacked, the all-rounder is also fast and holds the ball up well – two ingredients the Gunners missed at crucial periods this season. 

A player Mikel Arteta will hope to develop further, Benjamin Sesko ticks a lot of boxes. 

Gunners running out of patience in Gyokeres pursuit 

One of football’s most in-demand goal machines, former Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with a number of clubs in the last few months. Arsenal have been one of the frontrunners for his signature, but the club’s hierarchy are reportedly running out of patience with Sporting Lisbon as the Portuguese side continues to move the goalposts in an attempt to receive as close to the £85m release clause in Gyokeres’ contract as possible. 

Of course, Sporting CP are well within their rights to play hardball here and acquire the type of money a player with Gyokeres’ goal record warrants, but Andrea Berta might not hang around should the saga drag on. It could be worth the wait, though, as Gyokeres knows English football and the pace of the game despite plying his trade in the league below for Coventry. 

Sure, the Premier League is a big step up, but the former Brighton & Hove Albion player has found the back of the net in prestigious competitions like the Champions League this season. Gyokeres who, in the two seasons he has spent in Portugal, has also bagged a remarkable 97 goals.

With arguably the best goalscoring record in football right now, patience might be a virtue in Arsenal’s pursuit of a player who almost guarantees goals. 

Watkins offers the kind of threat in behind that Arsenal currently lack 

Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has been linked with a move to Arsenal for a number of years now. The well documented Gunners fan has expressed his love for the club on numerous occasions, although it’s Villa who have the England forward tied down to a contract until 2028. Arsenal could have done with his 16 Premier League goals and eight assists last season, though, with Watkins’ threat in behind making him a real danger. 

An attribute the likes of Kai Havertz certainly doesn’t possess, Watkins has pace to burn and makes clever runs that could enable the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard to find him with ease. Watkins’ campaign last season probably wasn’t his finest, but at the age of 29, he has his peak years ahead of him and would surely jump at the chance to lead the line for a club he’s supported since he was a boy. 

With 87 goals for Villa since joining from Brentford in 2020, a move for Watkins makes a lot of sense for Arsenal.