Let’s be honest. Even Pierre-Emerrick Aubameyang would not be overly happy with his contributions of late. A few missed chances. Sitters at that. And perhaps even more telling a lack of ability to affect and link the game.
We are at a very tricky phase in the rebuild masterplan. We have 5 strikers who all have some very high quality characteristics. However none are really the full package yet. Whether that is due to a lack of experience, goal threat or hold up play.
Art de Roche wrote a great piece recently for the Athletic looking at the age players will be at their peak according to their position. The telling stat for Arsenal was the huge disparity between their strikers, with Martinelli, Nketiah and Balogun far below the peak age for a striker; whilst Lacazette and Aubameyang well over the peak age. See the graph on the link below.
It’s obvious that Arteta is looking to sign a new starting striker. It’s through all the papers. All the journos are on the same page. The gaffer wants a fairly young striker with pace, who can hold the ball up and bring others into the game. Oh, and the new man must be bought into the project and not using us as a stepping stone to apparently greater things.
No pressure Mikel. Sounds like you want the best of all our strikers combined together. I applaud it. Just got to make sure we get it done now.
With the hunt for a new striker becoming more and more important, we must also taper the expectation. It is highly unlikely we will sign a new star in January. Leaving next summer as the likely opportunity.
So with that said, it looks like we are stuck with what we’ve got for the rest of the season.
The question now turns from who do we sign, to who should lead our line for the rest of the season.
There’s probably no right or wrong answer here. Like I mentioned earlier the strikers all have their strengths and weaknesses. I’m going to knock Balogun off the list earlier. Huge potential, but his inexperience is not what we need right now.
Balogun would do wonders with a Championship loan move. Consistent minutes, goals, and senior football is what the man needs. We don’t need another repeat of the Nketiah loan to Leeds though. Balogun needs plenty of game time. He gets that and next season he is proper member of the squad. Think Tammy Abraham for Villa a few years ago.
What we have starting at the moment is pace, movement in behind and a proven goalscoring record. Auba isn’t holding the ball up, he’s not pressing consistently with 100% intensity (although admittedly that has improved) and at the moment he doesn’t quite have those famous shooting boots on. Add to that he is off to Africa for January and it makes his spot questionable.
Lacazette could come in and do a job. He will link the ball well, be a presence to knock into, and work hard. See here how much of a difference he made when brought into the line up a few weeks ago. A fine finisher also. Lacazette would be very interesting though due to him now being able to sign pre contract deals with other sides come January. Let’s face this one – he ain’t getting a new contract.
The option that intrigues me the most is Gabi Martinelli. Not the best hold up play at this point in his career, but likely will do more than Auba has. His speed, intensity and athleticism make it viable. The way he engages defensively to press is just electrifying. Shades of Alexis Sanchez with that tiresome work rate.
Martinelli will draw the fans to their feet with his sheer willingness to work hard for the cause. Add to that he just seems to have that ability to make things happen. He is always on the move, always positive. Which to be honest I think we create our best chances in the final third when the front 3 interchange positions, create overloads and combine.
Nketiah is there or there abouts and would probably warrant more thought if he was going to stick around. But I can’t justify him playing ahead of Gabi or Auba if he is saying adios come July next year.
The games come thick and fast over the next month. Which will possibly aid Arteta is solving this complex puzzle. He will have to rotate so Martinelli and Lacazette will both get their chances. It’ll just have to be up to the players to take the chances and prove they deserve to be walking out of the tunnel come match day.
Kia Kaha team.
