Arsenal set new club goalscoring records this season, but are still in the market to sign a new attacker in the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta was keen on RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, but he chose to stay at his club and sign a new contract, despite Arsenal’s interest.
The form of Kai Havertz as a striker has reduced the necessity of a new centre-forward this summer, but it is clear that extra speed and dynamism are needed in attack, with Leandro Trossard’s poor display for Belgium at the Euros highlighting a lack of speed and consistency with the 29-year-old.
Arsenal could sign either a winger or attacker this summer to add to a team already full of goals, and there was one game which convinced the hierarchy that this was necessary despite an impressive scoring record this season.
Defeat to Bayern Munich convinced Arsenal a new attacker is needed
Arsenal reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League this season, but were eliminated after a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the second leg at the Allianz Arena.
Arteta’s side were completely lifeless in attack that day, and journalist Charles Watts has now revealed that this game showed the Arsenal hierarchy that a dynamic attacker would help improve the team.
“Arsenal want to bring in someone who has the ability to open up teams out of nothing. There was an acceptance at the club last season that the team did have some issues, especially in really tight games, unlocking a packed defence. The Champions League exit in the second leg in Munich was one of those occasions,” he revealed in his Daily Briefing.
“High-level figures at the club accepted after that loss that an X-Factor type player was missing from the squad. Someone who had the ability to do something out of nothing that could break open a defence.”
Arsenal need another dynamic attacker in the squad
One thing Arsenal really lack in attack is pace, with Gabriel Martinelli the only explosive outlet on the wings.
There are technically gifted attackers in Trossard and Gabriel Jesus, but another attacker, either a winger or a striker, who has the ability to score out of nothing, would help Arsenal in games like the Bayern one where the key plan is not working and more goal threat is needed.
An attacker in the mould of Alexis Sanchez, as a goalscoring winger who could also play upfront, could be ideal, and if Arsenal manage to add such a player to their squad, it could heavily impact the title race next season.