David Ornstein has admitted that Arsenal needed and wanted to sign a real level-raiser in attack this summer, ultimately failing to land a few key targets.
David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Arsenal needed and wanted a player to raise the level of their attack this summer, with Vinicius Junior the primary target for Mikel Arteta and the club’s ownership.
Then Julian Alvarez has been a long-term target as well, and Malick Fofana was looked at as an investment opportunity. But with none of the three available at the price Arsenal were willing to pay, the club decided to save their money for future windows.
Ornstein suggests that it’s clear from the work Arsenal did on those big-name players that they knew they need an addition, but they were ultimately unable to make it happen.
Though Ornstein doesn’t mention the likes of Bradley Barcola and Morgan Rogers, we know those are other players Arsenal pursued before deciding against the touted asking prices.
The fans are obviously going to be disappointed, and understandably so. The primary goal this summer was seemingly to add a game-changing player to Arsenal’s attack, and that hasn’t really happened.
Christos Tzolis looks like a good signing, but he’s filling a gap left by both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. To call that an ‘addition’ would be a bit of a misrepresentation, it’s more of a replacement signing.
Arsenal do still have options in attack, with Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke likely to fill in on the left when Tzolis isn’t playing, good options on the right (Madueke again, Bukayo Saka, and Max Dowman) and up front (Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, and Mikel Merino).
But Saka aside, the group perhaps still lacks the kind of truly world-class and prime-age players that are present at many of Europe’s other top clubs.
The good news is that Arsenal have truly elite options in most other positions on the pitch. The midfield and defence are stacked, and the Gunners have one of the world’s best goalkeepers.
If Arsenal are going to remain reliant on their strong defence, William Saliba’s continuing absence is a blow. But the club have signed Ezri Konsa to cover for that injury, with Cristhian Mosquera also a solid option.
Ahead of the back four, Arsenal have some of the best defensive midfielders in Europe, which will help as well. The concern remains solely at the other end of the pitch.
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