As the summer transfer window winds down, Arsenal fans remain divided over the club’s reluctance to sign a new striker. Despite the outcry from some supporters, Arsenal’s stance on this issue may be well-founded, particularly when considering the performance and potential of their current forwards and other squad needs.
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Existing Strikers Provide Sufficient Quality
Arsenal already has three capable strikers: Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard. While none of them are known for scoring tons of goals—Jesus and Havertz have each managed a personal best of 14 and 13 Premier League goals in a season—they offer much more than just finishing.
When fit, Jesus is vital for the team because he works hard, helps link up the play, and presses opponents relentlessly. Havertz is not the most prolific scorer but is strong in many areas. He is good in the air, drops deep to help in the build-up, and fits well into Mikel Arteta’s game plan.
Since joining Arsenal, Havertz has consistently scored and created chances, tallying 17 goals and assists in 14 Premier League starts as a central striker. His performances at the end of last season and the start of this one suggest he’s becoming more comfortable in his role, showing why Arteta trusts him to lead the line.
Trossard, who often plays in the middle, adds depth to the attack and brings a different style. His flexibility allows Arteta to rotate the squad without losing effectiveness. With these strikers, Arsenal is well-equipped to challenge for the top spot, and many betting fans are backing the Gunners to make it to the top of the table this season with this attacking lineup.
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Winger Reinforcements Are a Greater Priority
Arsenal’s bigger issue is on the wings, where the team lacks depth and consistency. Bukayo Saka is the only reliable option on the right, while Gabriel Martinelli’s form on the left has been up and down, and Trossard is better suited to a central role.
In the past, Arsenal has tried to sign wingers like Raphinha and Mykhailo Mudryk but missed out on them, leaving the wide areas vulnerable, especially with the demands of competing in multiple tournaments.
Compared to the striker position, where Arsenal has three solid options, the lack of depth on the wings is more concerning. Adding another winger would give the team the cover and competition it needs, ensuring that players like Saka, Martinelli, and Trossard don’t get worn out throughout the season.
Learning from Last Season’s Mistakes
Last season, Arsenal’s attack faltered at crucial moments, including a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa, where Arteta’s decision to move Havertz from striker to attacking midfielder disrupted the team’s flow. The experiment of playing Jesus as the central striker in that game didn’t work out, and Arsenal struggled to finish chances despite creating a lot.
Arteta quickly returned to the setup that had worked before, with Havertz leading the line. The German finished the season strongly, and his good start this season reinforces the idea that Arsenal’s strikers are good enough as long as they’re used correctly.
With Arteta now able to use different strikers depending on the opponent and match situation, Arsenal can approach each game with a tailored strategy. The versatility of players like Havertz, who can also play in midfield, and Trossard, who can move across the front line, gives the team a tactical advantage.
Final Thoughts
Arsenal’s decision to focus on other areas of the squad rather than splash out on a new striker appears to be a strategic choice to maintain balance and depth across the pitch. While the call for a new number nine is understandable, the club’s existing options and potential investments in other positions could be the more prudent approach as they seek to build on last season’s progress.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s success this season may hinge on Arteta’s ability to maximize the output of his current strikers while addressing weaknesses in other areas, particularly on the wings.
Havertz is changing people’s minds with his productivity as a striker.
Trossard is technical, creative, and most reliable finisher, but only productive in certain games; low blocks and parking the bus blunt his effectiveness.
Jesus never was a striker and never will be. Running around, pressing, dropping deep into midfield, we need a central threat up front that can score; Jesus cannot provide this.
It would be nice to get a striker to rotate with Havertz, compete to motivate Havertz, and maybe provide a plan B when we need to change things.
No need to spend 100 million, a better finisher can do the job Jesus clearly cannot.
Well said Durand. I was so against Havertz joining and was sick of him by Christmas but i will admit i was wrong on the lad. Since moving to Cf he has created more chances than any other forward in the league and has more assists and goals than anyone bar Haland and more if you dont count pens. The real issue is we dont have anyone who can slam the ball in from 35 yards when we are up against it or dribble an entire team to create a opportunity. A clinical striker wont do either or the above so i struggle to see how they will help against teams that park the bus.
Honestly I was against Havertz when he joined, and even more so when he played in midfield asa hybrid 8.
However, I have changed my opinion when he is played as a striker.
I don’t think Arteta wants players taking those long shots, he wants shots taken much closer or created around the box.
We have players who can dribble defenders like Martinelli and Jesus, but they can’t finish the chance they create, hence the problem.
I think a clinical striker will make a difference, especially against the low block. Only limited chances are created, and we need someone to score from the 2 or 3 opportunities.
With an attack of Saka,Martinelli,Trossard,Nelson,
Jesus and Havertz we will be able to compete only on the Premier league and Champions with heavy rotations and we have to discard all Cup competitions.
If one of the six get an injury we will struggle in all competitions.
The problem with that is that Martinelli and Nelson arent the calibre of player as the other two wingers. I have more faith in Trossard deputising as cf than i do Martinelli being our number 1 winger and so forth. Getting a top class left winger would be the perfect signing right now.
A right winger is also needed, so who to reliably replace him with?
Need a versatile winger and an inexpensive young promising CF.
“It will be difficult to win the league without a quality striker. Havertz and Jesus have good qualities, but both are too wasteful in front of goal to be relied on. How many times do they get us off our seats, only to be deflated by missing an easy chance?”
We need a goalscorer if only from the bench to give us an alternative to Trossard when we need a goal.
We need a winger before deadline day, move faster is all we’re asking for.
All the strikers we have, need three or four chances before they get a goal. Remember the Munich game, we lost to that German team in quarter finals because we didnt have a super striker who create a chance and get a goal. Super striker is badly needed at Arsenal. Other wise, we will keep on singing the same song every season
It doesnt make sense to me but then I am not an elite football manager.
I don’t agree with the narrative suggested by the article. It is highly unlikely that Arsenal do not want to sign a striker.
An important consideration is whether there are strikers of a sufficient quality at a reasonable price that we can bring in.
All of the well recognised top strikers would be very expensive and most are already at top level clubs. The main one that we have been linked with is Osimhen and while he would probably improve the team the cost could be prohibitive. There are also uncertainties about how well he would fit into our team and whether he could again reach the heights he has shown before.
Competely dont agree with this article analysis.. the writer is forgetting we are competing for the title against City that have Haaland and Doku, Savinho, Foden & Grealish as forwards.. our forward attack line is simply not.good.or.deep.enough to.compete against City.. and why cant we have 2 top no 9s to.rotate and compete if we sign one to.add to.Havertz.. Jesus has not managed to bang in the goals we need.. if this writers argument was to.stand, then why did we need to buy Calafiori when we already had the best defense and Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, White, Tomiyasu, Zinchenko and Kiwior in defense…
It only makes sense, if we win something big. Otherwise how does it make sense?????