Injuries have affected Arsenal’s almost perfect season start. The large amount of games, international duty and a long summer in which key players have represented their countries in Euro 2016 determined Wenger to sign players like Perez and Mustafi. Unfortunately, the Gunners still have trouble up front as Giroud spent a lot of time in the infirmary, Welbeck is still recovering and Perez joined his fellow strikers due to an ankle problem. Luckily, Arsenal have Alexis Sanchez who even if he has been traditionally used as more of a winger by Arsene Wenger in the past, has enjoyed and indeed revelled playing as a striker this season. It would be wise however to have more options upfront as if there are more complications with any of the current striker injuries or if god-forbid anything happens to Sanchez or Giroud.
Currently Olivier Giroud is fit and able to play when Sanchez needs a rest or when Wenger wants to use the attributes of a tall target man who can provide more of an aerial threat. According to Metro, the Frenchman hasn’t extended his contract yet which means a player with a similar profile could be on Wenger’s transfer list. That player’s name is reportedly Andrea Belotti who is having the best season of his life. The 22-year-old is the top goal scorer in Serie A which is a great achievement especially when his team is 7th in the standings.
The problem with the young striker is of course his price. His current club – Torino – is rumored to have enormous financial expectations in the vicinity of £42million. If they were to ask for a quarter of that or at least agree to half the amount, Arsenal might make a bid. There’s no way of knowing if Welbeck will come back this season and be 100% recovered or if Perez will return to fitness on time so an extra striker with such promising numbers would always be welcome if such a deal could be done at a decent price.