5 young strikers Arsenal should sign
With Arsenal pushing valiantly for the Premier League title, Gooners across the globe will be hoping of January acquisitions to further their quest for glory.
Olivier Giroud has been on fire this season, as has Theo Walcott, but the recent injury to the latter, and Danny Welbeck’s continued absence, has left Arsenal looking rather short in attacking options.
Fans dream of a world-class striker but the fact of the matter is such a player is unlikely to arrive in January and Arsene Wenger made it clear over the summer he wasn’t willing to play over the odds.
Rather than a short-term fix then, Jonathan Kaney believes the best course of action would be to sign one of these young strikers; who would bolster the ranks Arsenal possess whilst also presenting a fantastic option for the future.
Arsenal have been hit-and-miss with striker signings in the past but these youngsters have shown they have the talent capable of performing at the highest level, so that’s one concern already ticked-off!
Hit the navigation buttons to see FIVE young strikers Arsenal should try to snap-up in January!
Breel Embolo, 18, Basel
18-year-old Breel Embolo is one Europe’s most sought after young strikers due to his powerful physicality and goal-scoring prowess.
He scored 10 goals in 26 league games in his first full season in the Basel first team and was trusted to lead the line against the likes of Real Madrid and the Champions League last year.
Not only he is a battering ram up front, but he can also hold the ball up superbly and has the pace and finishing ability to make him the complete striker. He’s been dubbed the new Didier Drogba, and the Gunners would be wise to sign him before someone else does.
Aaron Leya Iseka, 17, Anderlecht
Much like Embolo, at just 17-years-old Aaron Leya Iseka – younger brother of Marseille ace Michy Batshuayi – is a young striker who seems to have all the attributes to be a world beater.
He’s been a goal machine in the Belgian youth leagues and is a powerful, confident and hugely talented goal scorer for his age. He has a bright future ahead of him and has already cemented his place leading the Anderlecht frontline.
Arsene Wenger has been heavily linked with making a move for him in January, and a move for him at this stage of his career would suit all parties with him most likely to be loaned back to Anderlecht to develop his talent.
Domenico Berardi, 21, Sassuolo
21-year-old Domenico Berardi is another player being linked with top European clubs in January, particularly Liverpool.
The young striker is already a household name in Italy after bagging an impressive 33 Serie A goals in 67 appearances and consistently putting in some superb performances for the unfashionable and lowly Sassuolo.
He’s most famous for scoring all four goals as the newly promoted club sealed a 4-3 win over AC Milan and then bagging a hattrick in a 3-2 win in their next meeting. Berardi has a goal scorers instinct and a flair about him that makes fans excited. It would be fantastic to see him at the Emirates rather than Anfield.
Anderson Talisca, 21, Benfica
The 6ft 3 giant has been linked with Chelsea in the past, and Jose Mourinho is a keen admirer of the 21-year-old, telling the media that he would be in England if he had got his work permit.
The Brazilian was a risky signing for the Portuguese side from little known Bahia after they lost a host of stars in 2014, but they have been well rewarded after impressive debut season where he bagged 9 goals.
He’s carried on that form to score 6 goals in 14 games this season and recently scored the winner in 1-0 Champions League victory over Monaco. His nickname is “Yaya Talisca” in reference to Yaya Toure, and he would be an improvement on Yaya Sanogo anyway!
Gabriel Barbosa, 19, Santos
Another young striker the Gunners have been heavily linked to is 19-year-old Santos star Gabriel Barbosa – the latest wonderkid to come out of the famous Santos academy that has produced the likes of Pele, Robinho and most recently Neymar.
He’s filled Neymar’s shoes superbly since he departed for Barcelona and is constantly compared to his countryman as he shares the same flair, creativity and goal scoring ability as the Brazil captain. The Santos fan favourite has a big career in Europe ahead of him and it was reported in the summer that he rejected a move to Fenerbache in order to hold out for a move to a bigger club.
Arsene Wenger may well ignite his interest in him again to take to the Emirates.