Schick, Vlahovic or Calvert-Lewin. Which striker will complete Arsenal’s rebuild?

Arsenal’s nearly two-year-long rebuilding process is coming to an end, with the final piece of the puzzle being the spearhead striker position for Mikel Arteta. For a Czech fan, the connection with Patrik Schick seems interesting. Will Gunners fans see a world-class striker in January?

The latest addition to the young squad

The reconstruction of the North London squad has taken almost two years, actually since the Spanish strategist joined the Arsenal bench. In his own image, Arteta has built a young, talented, promising and success-hungry team.

Over time, surplus, ageing and ineffective players (Luiz, Sokratis, Mustafi, Willian and Özil) have left the Emirates Stadium cabin and been replaced by young blood. Arteta was able to use the potential in the existing squad (Smith Rowe, Martinelli or Saka) and also had a great selection in the transfer market – Ramsdale, Tomiyasu or White became the pillars of the line-up.

The last position where Arsenal are languishing behind the competition in the league is the tip of the attack. After another disciplinary lapse by captain Aubameyang, Arteta is left with only one quality top striker – Lacazette. However, he is out of contract after this season and despite the French footballer’s good performances, signing a new deal is not in sight.

Aubameyang’s chapter at Arsenal is likely to close in January and the Spanish coach must look for a new acquisition. Balogun and Nketiah, whose contract expires in June, are not in the starting line-up. Also, why interfere in the line-up when Lacazette’s interplay with his young teammates is working so far?

But given the uncertain future of the French striker, it is necessary to look around the transfer market. Even if the January transfer doesn’t materialise, the Gunners coaching staff has the entire spring season to work on bringing in a new forward in the summer transfer window.

But don’t expect the transfer of a highly experienced (and expensive) striker who is pushing 30 years old. The current fourth-placed team will look for young, promising but already seasoned names on the football scene. The financial side won’t be a problem either, the Gunners paid £50m for the stopper White. And let’s face it, after a few years Arsenal finally have something to offer!

A young squad with a progressive coach of the Guardiola school, an upward trend of performances and most importantly the vision of European cups. Arsenal fans can look forward to a striker who will be the terror of opposing defences for five or six years.

Another Cech in the Premier League?

For Czech fans, the most interesting speculation is about Patrik Schick, who has already scored sixteen goals in the Bundesliga. The Bayer Leverkusen striker himself dismissed rumours of West Ham’s interest, with his current form he is definitely thinking of more ambitious addresses. However, staying in the top German competition is also a realistic possibility.

Arsenal supporters, however, would welcome the arrival of the 25-year-old Czech. Analysis from youaremyarsenal.com breaks down in detail the contribution of Schick to Mikel Arteta’s team. “When you watch him, you have to be captivated by his game. He is very fast, physically strong, enjoys playing at the tip of the attack. His contribution to the whole team is unmissable, he is good in the midfield and in combination, he can also move Leverkusen’s offense with his back to goal.”

” His movement between the central defenders and the outside backs creates space for his team’s chances and by stirring up the opponents’ defences he increases the scoring opportunities. His head game is also his forte and he scores just as powerfully with his left foot.”

Lacazette also boasts of playing with his back to goal, breaking down opponents’ defences and working for his teammates in the offensive zone, but he has not been able to match the productivity of Schick, who is five years younger than him. Scoring goals this season rests on the shoulders of the wingers, the beater at the tip of the attack is the final piece to the Arsenal puzzle.

The comet of the season and the Liverpool striker

Other players that Arsenal scouts have their eyes on are Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina), Jonathan David (Lille), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad) and Luka Jovic (Real Madrid). And it is clear that Arteta is thinking about the future, the oldest player on the list is just twenty-five-year-old Schick, followed by Calvert-Lewin and Jovic, a year younger.

The hottest commodity on the transfer market will surely be this season’s comet, the 18-goal Serbian Vlahovic, who is also the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Gunners already have slightly better chances in the fight for signing players in the case of David or Isak. For the French and Spanish sides respectively, the (non)transfer will be decided by whether the clubs qualify for the European Cup.

Also, the English football scene could offer a stud striker. Everton are slowly dipping into the relegation waters and Calvert-Lewin would like to wear the jersey of a team that will be competing for a Champions League place from the new season.

Or will Arsenal go the Martin Odegaard route in the case of Jovic? That is, a loan move from Real Madrid, a subsequent career restart and a buyout from the Madrid big club?

Whichever of the aforementioned strikers appear at the Emirates Stadium, we can expect the Gunners to become a major threat and competitor for the top rungs. The latest link to Arteta’s young squad is on its way.

Source: You Are My Arsenal, Transfermarkt