AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy was a useful squad player, who scored two goals in 22 league matches last season, the 20-year-old has been catapulted into one of the most lethal strikers in Serie A, scoring 16 goals in 30 league appearances.

There was no doubt about his ability in the minds of chairman Adriano Galliani and coach Allegri, who decided against loaning the player out prior to the start of the season. And what a decision that turned out to be, with the Italian finishing the first half of the season as top scorer in Italy with 14 strikes, and was also Milan’s top scorer in all competitions with 16 goals.

Ex Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli joined them from Manchester City in January in order to ease the burden on Shaarawy. The pair were predicted to form a lethal partnership, but the arrival of Balotelli has coincided with a dip in form for Shaarawy.

He has been unable to replicate his early season form for the five time European Champions, scoring just two league goals since the turn of the year. Things got worse for Shaarawy, with the striker dropped for Saturday’s crucial encounter against second-placed Napoli that ended 1-1.

According to Express.co.uk, the Italian striker is considering a move away from the San Siro with Arsenal interested in bringing him to England. The report states that the forward has admitted his frustration at his current situation to his friends.

Arsenal are expected to announce some big signings this summer to prove that they still mean business in the Premier League, and the arrival of Shaarawy could justify those intentions. They have struggled to cope with the loss of talisman Van Persie to rivals United, with Wenger targeting Shaarawy, who has shown that he has the capability, desire and hunger to succeed with a big club.