Having recently ended their interest in Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Arsenal’s striker search may have now reached another dead end.
Mikel Arteta is thought to be determined to sign a striker this summer, someone who can add a bit of x-factor in the face of Manchester City’s relentless scoring.
Having netted 91 goals themselves in the Premier League last term, Arteta’s Arsenal forward line weren’t poor by any means.
But in what felt like Arsenal’s three key defeats in the second half of the season, to West Ham United, Fulham and Aston Villa, they only scored one goal.
Arteta’s defence wasn’t necessarily the issue in the 0-2, 2-1 and 0-2 losses respectively, but Arsenal definitely struggled to finish their chances on those occasions when the game was in the balance.
And when Kai Havertz isn’t finding the back of the net on occasion, Gabriel Jesus isn’t a lethal finisher to turn to either.
Of course, given his record of scoring in the Premier League, Ivan Toney was once proposed as the solution.
However, Arsenal won’t buy Toney this summer, and via an update from journalist Lyall Thomas, it appears another Premier League striker can also be ruled off the list.
Arsenal no longer want Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, they’ve got other plans
Sharing his update on X, Thomas replied to his own news about Arsenal retaining interest in Bologna’s Joshua Zirzkee.
And when providing further insight, the journalist said that attention had turned away from Isak, as well as Toney.
Thomas said: “Arsenal’s pursuit of a striker [is] an interesting one. Understand they are focusing on a younger profile they can develop.
“Have turned attentions away from players like Toney, Isak etc. Some really interesting young strikers around this summer but not the only club who want one.”
And whilst it may be a shame to move on from Isak, who Ian Wright called ‘fantastic’ towards the end of last season, it makes sense given the lofty asking price Newcastle have reportedly set.
And this news perhaps explains Arsenal’s recent proposal to RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
It’s a bold decision for Arsenal to back Havertz as a false nine and solely look for an understudy, but on last season’s evidence it’s a well-advised one.
Havertz displayed everything you’d want from a central striker, and perhaps Sesko really would be his perfect dancing partner.
Sesko’s explosive skill-set would be well suited to entering the game on the hour mark if the match was delicately poised, and similarly he’d be capable of starting alongside Havertz.
Although if the club seriously want Sesko this month, Arsenal must avoid repeating the same mistake they made when chasing Mykhaylo Mudryk.